A Maiden's Honor by Josanna Thompson

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Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I write historical fiction. I majored in history, and I love learning about different people and cultures around the world. Many amazing stories have come about from doing this research.

What research is required?

Building a world for a historical fiction novel requires LOTS of research. As a historian, I go through great lengths to present an accurate portrayal of the people and the parts of the world about which I am writing.

Name one thing you learned from your heroine.

Sarah Campbell is one of my favorite characters. (I like most of them, but Sarah has a soft spot in my heart.) I like her because she constantly surprises me. Even though the world beats her down, she’s always gets back up. Sarah is also the kind of character who does the right thing even if it’s a detriment to her.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

Me? Na, I’m boring. Although, I always read through the writing I did the previous day. When writing a blog or something that I need to publish, I will write my piece and let it sit for several days to a week. This approach helps me to review the work with a fresh view. I also make use of a software called Natural Reader. It translates your work from text to speech. This software has also helped me to spot mistakes like missing words or wrong words. It's also helped me to iron out sentences that sound choppy or simply don't read well.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Yes. I’m a little of both. I always work from an outline. My stories often take a life of their own as I start writing them. I always love when this happens.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

I’m going to look to my left because It’s more interesting. I sit in a winged back chair in my family room. I have a white wicker shelf to the left of me. I use it to store pencils, pens, and other supplies. I also have a few small amusements on the top shelf like a water toy, and a few small stuffed animals. They always bring a smile to my face when I look at them.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently working on the sequel to A Maiden’s Honor. The story continues with my protagonist, Sarah Campbell’s journey through Western civilization. This time she lands in Regency England. She’s only there for a month. Her travels will take her to the United States and the West Indies. Sarah learns a lot in the process.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I would love to know what they enjoy in a book. In other words, what is it that makes a book good, and what makes a book bad?

Sarah Campbell is a rarity among women in her time. Raised by her Scottish father and the natives of a remote island in the South Pacific, Sarah and her father embark on a perilous journey to Scotland. Their crew betrays them and murders her father for the purpose of selling Sarah into slavery. She is rescued by an unlikely hero, Hassan Aziz, the most feared pirate on the Barbary Coast. She quickly discovers that she is unprepared for the complex world that is suddenly thrust upon her. Sarah must find a way to survive in a world that intrigues and terrifies her.

Read an Excerpt:

Cora studied Naa’il. “May I ask you a personal question?”

“That depends on the question.” Naa’il’s posture stiffened.

“Do you love your second wife?”

“Yes,” Naa’il said without hesitation.

“Don’t you owe it to her to investigate whether or not she was telling the truth?”

“I know what I saw. Our laws are clear, Cora. Samina must be punished,” Naa’il said bitterly.

“Then I suppose that I should be put to death too.”

“This is different,” Naa’il snapped.

“Why? We are not related, yet we are alone. We have even shared a bed.”

“You are my slave; you must obey me.”

“I see.” Cora grimaced. “Regarding your wife, permit me to give you something to ponder.”

“Continue.” Naa’il flicked his hand in the air.

“Why do you post a guard outside your wife’s door?”

“He is there to protect her.”

“Precisely. When a soldier hears a scream from the person that he is assigned to protect, he is not going to hesitate to ascertain why, for he fears that delaying, even for a moment, may kill her. Likewise, when a woman is frightened, she is not going to delay her scream long enough to cover herself, especially if an intruder is attacking her. My point is Your Excellency, if you love your wife, love her enough to try to confirm her story. If she is truly innocent, then perhaps she and her guard deserve mercy.”

About the Author:

Josanna Thompson is the author of A Maiden's Honor and The Woman from Eden series. She has lived in many different places in the United States, including the Southeast, the Midwest, California, and the Northeast. When she is not writing; she enjoys traveling, exploring, and scuba diving.

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Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Maidens-Honor-Woman-Eden-Book-ebook/dp/B076FQ27S8/

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