Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post with Sandra Gulland, Author of Mistress of the Sun & Giveaway

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I am very pleased to welcome Sandra Gulland, author of Mistress of the Sun to Peeking Between the Pages today. I read and reviewed Mistress of the Sun yesterday for her blog tour and it is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. I really enjoyed it and you can take a peek at my review here if you’d like. So, sit back and relax and enjoy Sandra’s Guest Post aptly titled…Peeking Between the Pages … and into the Past.
The last thing I expected to be “when I grew up” was a historical novelist. Not only did I detest history as a subject in school, but I did not read historical fiction. History was a realm that bored me to tears.
And so: what happened?
What happened was that I read a slim biography about Josephine Bonaparte. This was many decades ago, while working as a Sponsoring Editor for a Toronto publisher. My job was to both evaluate and propose projects. Exploring the possibility of developing a series of biographies for young adults, I went to the Children’s Library in Toronto and took out one such biography — which just happened to be the story of Josephine.
It’s amazing to me to think how my life changed in that moment . . . although not immediately. I did go to the library and take out more books; I began a consuming study of the life of Jospheine. But why? For what purporse? A seed had been planted, and it took years to germinate.
What was immediate was my interest in Josephine . . . my passion for her story. For the first time, history came alive for me: history, I realized, was about real people.
I began by reading books about Josephine, as many as I could find. I thought I might write about her “someday” but wisely, I realized two things: 1) that I needed to do a great deal more research, and 2) that I needed to learn how to write.
Marriage, children, a family soon consumed my life. The box of books about Josephine sat on a closet floor. When I turned 40, however, I realized that if I was going to be a writer, I must begin. And so I did: first a futuristic novel about the end of the world. Then a contemporary comic-mystery about an elderly woman who was inconveniently possessed by a spirit: the spirit of Josephine. (This story came to me in a dream.)
Ah ha! After so many years, Josephine had reappeared, yet only as a fragment in a very convoluted novel. One chapter — only one — was given over to Josephine’s diary.
I asked Jane Urquhart, the wonderful Canadian novelist who was then writer-in-residence at the University of Ottawa, to have a look at this mess. Her words were to the point: “It’s the diary that comes to life. Just do that.”
That 90% of that novel had just fallen into waste was not as disturbing to me as the thought of taking Josephine’s story head-on. But with Jane Urquhart’s nudge, I found the courage, and one thing led to another. Following Josephine day-by-day, I became enthralled with history, and especially with French history. It didn’t even occur to me that what I was writing was historical fiction. And thankfully, then, I didn’t realize how big my subject was (much less that it would become a trilogy). I was simply telling Josephine’s story, in her own words, one page at a time.
While researching Josephine’s world, I discovered Louise de la Vallière, the heroine of Mistress of the Sun. As with Josephine, I became enchanted. And while researching Louise’s story, I because likewise became enchanted with the story of Claude des Oeillets, the heroine of the novel I am working on now, one page at a time.
And after Claude . . . who knows? What I do know is that there are stories for a lifetime in this Court of the Sun King. I believe I’ll be settling down there, making myself comfy, making it home for some time to come.
__________
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A novel of Louise de la Vallière, mistress of the Sun King. As a girl, she won the trust of the wildest of horses; as a woman, she would win the love of the most charismatic of kings.
__________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sandra Gulland was born in Miami, Florida, in 1944. The daughter of an airline pilot, the family lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for five years, then Miami again for a few years before settling in her mother’s hometown of Berkeley, California.
In the fall of 1970 she accepted a one-year contract to teach Grade Two in an Inuit village in northern Labrador, Canada (“an amazing experience”). After, she worked as a book editor for publishers in Toronto. In 1977 she married Richard Gulland, manager of a manufacturing company. A daughter and son were born, and in 1980 the family moved to a log cabin near Killaloe (population 600), in northern Ontario, where Sandra started Words &, an editorial and writing service, and her husband started a high-quality outdoor clothing and equipment company. They enrolled the children in a parent-run alternative school and eventually Sandra became principal. She handled promotion (and played clown) for the annual Killaloe Craft & Community Fair. Together with a friend, she started a community newsletter, The Community News & Confuse, circulation 150. All the while she was growing vegetables (“trying to grow vegetables,” is how she puts it), raising chickens and pigs, and developing an unruly addiction for horses. Meanwhile, and always, writing … .
Sandra’s consuming interest in Josephine Bonaparte and the Napoleonic era was sparked in 1972 when she read a biography of Josephine. Decades of research followed. She began the fictional biography of Josephine in January, 1990. In-depth research required knowledge of French, which she studies on an on-going basis. As well, she traveled to France, Italy and Martinique, and consulted with period scholars.
The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B., the first novel in what evolved to be a trilogy, was published by HarperCollins Canada in May, 1995, to excellent reviews. It was followed in 1998 by Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe and The Last Great Dance on Earth in 2000. The Josephine B. trilogy, which has sold over a million worldwide, is now published in thirteen languages and in fifteen countries.
“Napoleon said that he conquered countries, but that Josephine conquered hearts,” Gulland said. “It’s amazing. She continues to do so.”
For the last eight years, Sandra Gulland has been researching and writing a novel set in 17th century France, at the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The story of Louise de la Vallière, the Sun King’s mistress, Mistress of the Sun was published by HarperCollins Canada on February 23, 2008, and immediately went onto the bestseller list. It will be published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. June 3, and in Germany and the Czech Republic the following year.
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GIVEAWAY:
I have a hardback copy of Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland to share with one lucky reader. Rules are simple:
  • Leave me a comment with an email address if I don’t already know who you are for one entry.
  • Blog or tweet about this giveaway for two entries and spread the word about Sandra’s novel.
This giveaway will be open internationally and I will draw for a winner on Friday, May 8. Good luck to all!
__________
Many thanks to Sandra for this wonderful novel and for sharing some of her thoughts with us today. I look forward to reading more of your work Sandra! Please visit Sandra’s site here for more blog stops.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Wow, Sandra and I have something in common…it seemed when I was in high school the only reports I wanted to write were about Josephine. Now I’m interested in her Mistress of the Sun! I cannot wait to read it and her Josephine series.

    I am a follower, and I will post your giveaway in my sidebar as usual.

    savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

  6. Don’t enter me. Just wanted to stop by and say that I’m reading it right now and am enjoying it! I definitely want to read the Josephine books!

  7. What a fantastic guest post! Of course I’m totally interested since the whole post was mainly about Josephine:) I will probably link this guest post and reference it on my next Jeudi de Josephine…the most perfect article for my blog- my very favourite subject:) Thanks!

  10. I really enjoyed hearing from her! So many of these authors feel like your next door neighbor, which even makes it cooler to read their books. Please sign me up for this one!

    rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com

  11. I love historical fiction and history was actually my favorite subject in school.

    I would like to take part in his contest.

    beachlover20855ATyahooDOTcom

  12. No need to enter me. I already have her book. But I wanted to say thank you for the interview! I love knowing how people fall into writing their books. I wish I could write because as a history major I have found a lot of interesting tidbits. Sometimes fact is more interesting than fiction.

  13. I never enjoyed history in school either, but I have developed a love of historical fiction. Thanks for entering me.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  14. Don’t enter me.. but I just wanted to say Thank you for the Excellent post.. I Am working on getting all of her books, The Josephine B. trilogy is coming slowly from Paperbackswap. I have heard great things about them and I haven’t read a thing or even KNOW a thing about the subject, so I intend to be entertained. Thanks for the post!

  18. I love what I’ve heard of Mistress of the Sun so far!

    Lesley
    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

    PS I’m a follower.

  19. I’m so excited about this one! I love historicals, and this one looks totally awesome.

    jaam121388 at yahoo dot com

  20. I have heard so much good buzz about this book, and have been wanting to read it for awhile now. I love all types of historical fiction, and Mistress of the Sun seems particularity intriguing to me.

    I think it’s really interesting how Ms. Gulland got into writing historical fiction. It seems as though her words sprang from her passion for specific parts of history. I also think it’s really neat that one of her books came to her in a dream.

    Please enter me in this contest, I would love a chance to win this book!

    zibilee@figearo.net

  25. Yes please! I’m pretty sure you know me, but just in case,
    jennygirl73ATgmailDOTcom

    Have a lovely weekend!

  27. sounds like a good one, please enter me into this contest.

    thanks,
    jakewoodworth(AT)gmail.com

  31. A really good review. This book sounds like it would be fascinating.

    Please enter me into your competition.

    I have not blogged but I did twitter does that count 🙂

    Hve a great weekend.

  33. What a great post – I can’t imagine how amazing it must have been to teach in an Inuit community. What a terrific experience…

    danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

  35. Yes twittering about the contest counts Caspette. I’ll revise my post to say that. It should have said that. Sorry.

  36. History boring?! Oh my! I’ve always adored history class though it took me years until I started reading historical fiction. So glad that seed was planted for you eventually though 🙂

    (It works now Dar!)

  37. Great interview – I can’t wait to read this book. Please count me in.

    Thanks!
    megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

  40. I truly enjoy historical fiction and this one sounds like it’s right up my alley! Would love to win a copy!!

  42. I love historical fiction and this one looks especially good!
    Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. Great Post and Giveaway Dar. I just wanted to read the post and comment. No need to enter me. I tweeted about it also. Your reviews, guest posts and giveaways are awesome!

  45. Wonderful post and giveaway, Dar. No need to enter me. I just really enjoyed it and wanted you to know. 🙂

  50. Don’t enter me…I just wanted to stop by and read the guest post, which was wonderful! I finished this one last night and loved it.

  51. Sounds like an interesting book, I would love a chance to win!
    Cheers,
    Julie
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

  54. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in your contest. Thank you for doing this giveaway.

    tmrtini at gmail dot com

  55. Thanks for such in depth information. Please enter me, I’m a follower. alaineb at bigpond.net.au

  56. I cannot count how many books I have read about Josephine Bonaparte when I was in high school and college. I am so delighted that Sandra kept true to her dream. I would love to win this; I know I will read it. Josephine Bonaparte was sooo fascinating…every book I read offered another tidbit I did not know.

    cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

  57. I love historical fiction and would love to read this book!!

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. Oh I love Gulland’s Josephine trilogy. Would love a crack at this!! Great interview. kim at phoenix-rising dot net

  60. I have grown to love historial romance more so this year than ever. When I was in school, I enjoyed American History. Now I have always loved clean romance too. But now putting the two together has been a delight. I am a reviewer and would love to win this and review it.
    Jane Squires – USA
    jrs362 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    I also found your interview delightful.

  62. You always find the best author’s !!! Please count me in on this giveaway.
    Thanks
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

  70. I love a good historical novel and am looking forward to reading this one. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

  78. Amy, i would love to read this book and love your blog. It’s well written and easy to navigate.

  79. I would love to win this book and see how Sandra Gulland writes. I have never read any of her books. So thanks for telling me about her.
    jrs362 (at) hotmail (dot) com

  80. From your review, it seems like “Mistress of the Sun” will take us thru many different aspects of life in the age of the Sun King and his mistress, Petite. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. asthenight at gmail dot com

  84. Please enter me in the giveaway

    “Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca”

  85. I used to hate history as well until I read my first Historical Fiction book! Thanks for the giveaway, this sounds like a really interesting book.

    mattandjen[at]gmail.com

  86. Please enter me! It sounds like another wonderful read!
    quzy(AT)mac(DOT)com

  89. I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who stopped by only to read and enjoy the guest post. I’m so glad you did!

  90. I love historical fiction and am always interested in finding out why authors pick a certain place or person and how they got into writing… weeshenanigans(at)gmail(dot)com

  91. I love historical fiction and have been wanting to read this one for awhile. Thanks Esme

  92. A great guest post — thanks to Teddy for letting me know about you! I have the Josephine trilogy and would love to read this one. Thanks for the opportunity!

    jaltmichelle /at/ hotmail *dot* com

  96. Hi please enter me in the drawing. I really enjoy historical fiction.
    florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

  97. I think I’d enjoy this book, looks like a great read=)

    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net