Sandra Gulland, Fabulous Author of The Josephine Bonaparte
Trilogy, has developed her own e-publishing company for WORLD-WIDE ACCESS of all four of her books!!
Of course you can already get her ebooks in English in US
and Canada BUT- other countries,
such as the UK, did not have access before- and now they do! Here's a press
release:
You should see the GORGEOUS Covers…that guess who? designed…Kris
Waldherr!
Here’s one:
Be sure to visit Sandra's site www.sandragulland.comto take a look at more of these GREAT covers.
ALSO in the news:
The documentary
on Josephine that Sandra was flown into France for last year is now available
on DVD in English!
Here’s an interesting
quote by Sandra about Josephine and the documentary:
"In making the documentary, we traced back over many of
the places I had been to originally in researching Josephine's life. It was so
moving to return. As well, it was wonderful to talk to Bernard Chevalier again,
former curator of Malmaison. He had been instrumental to me as a consultant
while writing the Trilogy. He could have been curator of a much larger museum,
but he chose Malmaison because of Josephine. I asked him, then, "What is
it that attracts you to her?" He said: "Her intelligence." Spot
on!
Eric Ellena, the director, has been a fan of the Trilogy—and
Josephine!—for a very long time. In planing the filming in Italy, in tracing
Josephine's journey there, he told me that my novels were correct about what
had happened in Italy—and that a biography he was using as a reference was
mistaken! I studied Josephine's journey by going to the actual places. It's
amazing how that can change one's understanding. Eric also said he recommended
my books to the actors preparing to perform a part."
To begin with I'd like to say Thank You to everyone who joined:) I loved reading all your reviews and thanks for bringing light to some fascinating new reads for me as well.
If you'd like to see the list of all the participants and the number of books they've read- please see here.
For the lovely reviews of my challenge participants, please see here
AND NOW...WITHOUT FURTHER ADO... Here are the names and results of the participants who have attained the levels required for my Challenge Giveaway!!
This is an incredible amount of books- and she's got all the reviews to prove it!!! So, in this very particular case, you can surely understand my trouble at finding a book to suit this winner's voracious appetite for reading...
SO, Amber, I am awarding you a special book from my precious antique historical collection:
Heloise and Abelard, by George Moore-----1925. It is in mint condition (there's also an antique looking signature at the front) and I am offering it to you because I absolutely know it will go to a true lover of French history. I LOVE This book and I know it will be appreciated and treasured in its new home. Email me with your contact info.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!! Again, THANK YOU so much for participating!!!
Have I mentioned how much I love this challenge? Well the reason I like it so much is because first of all it's easy to play along; all I have to do is look up one of my past reviews or books I'm presently reading, and then just write a post about it. But the next best thing is that I get to go back and relish these books. By reading over my review and going back to browse the book, I get right bak into it flipping pages to my favourite parts...like going down memory lane if you will;) I've been so busy lately that I've sort of passed on posting a couple of letters- but couldn't be kept away forever so I'm back today for:
LETTER: M
And the book I chose today is one I really loved by favourite author Sandra Gulland.
Gulland writes a splendid story about Louise de Lavallière and Louis XIV (my favourite French king!)- romance, superstition, intrigue, deception, loyalty and faith- plus so much more in this one. Louise's tender love and total devotion to the Sun King wrenched my heart. The whole essence of this book is magical and their love too wonderful to be true...This is a book that always stands out for me when I think about any part of Louis's life and the books written about him. Loved it.
May is already here (time flies!) and an update on the French Historicals Oh-La-La Challenge is really due.
So far there are 33 Participants on board! Wanna know who they are? (The little number by their name refers to the number of challenge books they've read so far).
If you want to join, all you have to do is Blog about this Challengewith link to this page and then send me an email (enchantedbyjosephine@gmail.com) and I'll add you to the list.
The Challenge ends on Dec. 31st...and then I'll have some Giveaway goodies for winning participants.
(Pssst: I've already started collecting some good ones for the Giveaway!!)
Of course you must send me the links to your reviews- that's the only way I can keep count of how many books you've read. So far, I've had the pleasure to read such wonderful writing on books that sound fabulous.
Take a look at what some of the participants have been reading:
Enchanted by Josephine celebrates its 1st year Bloggiversary!!!
What started out with the idea of writing about what I love most- my passion for history, reading and writing, blossomed into a world that expanded into so much more than that. (If you’d like to view that very first post, see here: ) My bookblog has led me to meeting some of the nicest like-minded people I would have otherwise never met. I’ve shared books, ideas, creations and a passion for history that has done more for my spirit and knowledge than solitary reading enjoyment could ever have fulfilled. I’m thankful to all my readers and good friends out there- You made this all possible!
Along the way, I’ve also met fantastic historical fiction writers that have completely mesmerized me with their tales of intrigue, passion, sorrow and regality. And, one very special author in particular, Sandra Gulland, has been instrumental in my starting to blog about history…and my favourite historical figure, Josephine…
Previously, I mentioned how Josephine is my muse for inspiration. Can you tell us who or what inspires you to create the exquisite books you write? Do you have a muse?
Thank you, Lucy! I love books, and always wanted to write one. My muse? Research, I think: I’m always inspired as soon as I begin.
I am always fascinated by the way you bring out the endearing qualities in your heroines that other historical writers often fail to see or underline; especially Josephine, and Louise as well. How do you choose your heroines-what is it about them that makes you want to write their story?
I became fascinated with Josephine quite by accident. When I began to write, Josephine appeared only as a shadow — and then, by degrees, the work came to be about her.
It seems that a question, a simple curiosity, starts it off. For Josephine, I was curious about the prediction that was made in her youth, that she would become “more than a queen.” Could it be true? (It was.) For Louise, I was curious how a timid young woman could become such an incredible horsewoman...and then mistress to the married Sun King. She was devout: how did she reconcile this with her faith?
I don’t really choose my heroines — rather, I become interested in a person, and then one thing leads to another. At a certain point, I have to ask: Is there a story here? And so far the answer has always been yes.
We are very curious to learn about your next project. Can you please tell us a bit about that? Any similarities between the heroine of your next book and those of past?
Claude des Oeillets is very different from both Josephine and Louise. She was raised by her actor-parents on the road, and although she had a daughter by the Sun King, she was never more than a confidential maid to his mistress, Madame de Montespan. Both Josephine and Louise were of the lower nobility. Claude is not noble in the least.
What I love about her (in addition to her spunk) is her involvement in the fascinating world of the theater. It was the period of the French theatrical renaissance. Claude’s mother was a theatrical super-star, yet even so, it was a life of constant poverty, and a way of life considered to be profoundly sinful by the Church. Actors were shunned! No doubt Claude thought her problems were solved when she got a position as maid to a woman of the Court, Madame de Montespan — only to become embroiled in a world of witchcraft and poison.
It’s a big story!
Since today is a festive day here on EBJ- we’d also love to hear about any special anniversaries or festive times foreseen for 2010 that you may be part of or planning.
Every year, just before New Year’s Eve, my husband and I and our two adult children share our resolutions for the year ahead. Last year, my main resolution was to finish the first draft of Claude’s story: and I did! My resolution for the year 2010 will be to finish a second and third draft. When I send that last draft to my agent, I will be feeling quite festive!
Lastly, can you tell us something memorable about your travels and what your favourite destination is?
Paris is my favorite destination: always. How lovely that my research takes me there so often! My husband and I will be returning in the spring, staying in the neighborhood where Claude des Oeillets lived.
One memorable trip was a private tour through the chateau of Fontainebleau, into the dark and cob-webbed servants’ quarters. Every trip is a revelation.
Thank you for inviting me onto your blog. Congratulations!
Thank You so much, Sandra !
And now... for this very First Bloggiversary, I have a special GIVEAWAY to give homage to my Muse…someone you’ve no doubt come to learn about and love (not much choice on that if you stick around here awhile;) the beloved namesake of my blog: Josephine! This historical muse has inspired me to read, write and illustrate about that enchanting time which is the past. So, quite appropriately, to help celebrate this memorable year, I will be selecting 3 winners for a fantabulous GIVEAWAY of:
ALL 3 COURTESY OF Sandra Gulland and Diane Saarinen!!! Can you think of a better mix than this amazing Author and fantastic Assistant! These ladies are terrific- Thank you so much for making this possible!
Open to US and Canada Winners announced on Jan.3rd, 2010
To Enter:
1 Chance: Leave a Comment
2 Chances every time you tweet or blog about this (send me the link)
3 Chances: Become a Follower of my blog (If you're already a follower, you get this automatically).
5 Chances: Post about this on your Sidebar
5 EXTRA Bonus Points for every new follower referred by you (mention this in your comments)
Good Luck to All!
Once again, Thank you for celebrating this wonderful day with meJ You guys are great and I appreciate all your kind support throughout.
What a great way to close up the year..and with this, I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!
) 
(Hard Cover-gently used
+ 
Set of 2 Gently Used
-----1925. It is in mint condition (there's also an antique looking signature at the front) and I am offering it to you because I absolutely know it will go to a true lover of French history. I LOVE This book and I know it will be appreciated and treasured in its new home. Email me with your contact info.
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