J. L. Spohr
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Authors: Stories Behind the Books

6/20/2016

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I was honored to be a part of Elizabeth Ogle's photography series Authors: Stories Behind the Books. Her blog captures her work as well as an interview with me about writing...and there just may be a little hidden reveal in there for all you Realm series fans...Enjoy! 
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Photo by Elizabeth Ogle
Today is the first day of Summer! It is that time of year that is great for reading. There is nothing better than laying out on a blanket in the cool shade on a hot summer day reading a good book. It is absolutely one of my favorite things to do this time of year when I need to just slow down, take a break, rest my mind, relax. I have recently marked my one year that I started the Author Project and I want to celebrate on the first day of summer by sharing my shoot with J.L. Spohr. J.L. Spohr is a romantic, historical fiction writer who sets her stories in the 1500s, a time of lavish kings and queens, even though her characters go through less than lavish times. J.L. Spohr talks about her royal inspiration, the balancing act process of writing, and what is next for her. 
Stories of kings and queens, giant battles, and royal back-stabbings, were these the stories you read as young reader? Who or what did you read specifically? 
As a child I read everything from science fiction like L’Engle and Sleator to non-fiction about the African rain forests. I was the kid after bedtime reading with a flashlight under my sheets until my eyes couldn’t stay open. But as far as royal intrigue, I was at a very impressionable age when I watched Princess Diana marry, cementing the fantasy that some day, some prince could whisk me away from all my problems and I could have awesome outfits, live in a castle, and ride horses all day. And people would have to do what I say and not the other way around. Which sounds pretty darn fantastic to an eight year old. 
As I grew up, I still loved the outfits and the castles, but the history behind it all was the real fascination for me. Why the Tudor era and the early Renaissance, I’m not quite sure. Perhaps it was because Diana was British, perhaps because I studied in London for a time in college, perhaps it was because Henry VIII is morbidly fascinating and his daughter to this day remains one of the most successful rulers of all time. Ok, it’s just the outfits. READ MORE
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10 Best Books of 2014

1/15/2015

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These are the ten best books *I read* in 2014. Not all of them were released in 2014. But really, who restricts their reading only to the year books are released? Missed The Poisonwood Bible back in '98? Too bad! You better finish up The Emperor Waltz, misogynistic though it is, then move on to something you actually want to read. 

Pft. 

So, here's *my* list of the ten books I enjoyed best this year. See how that's not as snazzy a blog title?

In no particular order:


You might also enjoy...
10 Best Books I Read in 2013
Books for All Seasons: October
Books for All Seasons: January
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Kate Middleton & I are BFFs

11/13/2014

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So Kate Middleton, wife of the next King of England and mother to the heir, is pregnant with her second child, or "The Spare." My second book in The Realm series, God & King, about royals needing heirs to secure the throne, published this week. Coincidence? You decide.  

Last spring, HRH FaceTimed me, because she's nothing if not frugal. She was all, “Hey J- Spoh.” That’s what she calls me, “J-Spoh.” It’s kind of our thing. 
  
And I’m all, “Hey Your Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn and Lady Carrickfergus.” Or just D-Cam for short. Everyone else calls her Kate, but D-Cam, that’s kind of our thing.

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And she’s like, “So, Wills and are planning a little “Royal We” time this summer. Or should I say “Royal Weeee! time?” We laugh. She's way in to puns. 

“That’s great, D-Cam. Gettin' yourself that heir and spare, ay?”

“See, that’s why you are so clever naming your first book that.” 

“I strive to be one of the sharper butter knives..." 

She ignores my stab at humility. “Anyhow, I just wanted to give you a heads start on God & King while people watch my baby bump and honking episodes (that's throwing up for all you Yanks) with bated breath and flashbulbs. Besides, I need something to read when I’m nursing.”

And I'm all like, “Thanks, D-cam-cam. Actually, I'm already working on God & King because you liked Heirs & Spares so much. I’ve even written the last third of Crown & Thorns, the final book in the series. Just a happy accident that it corresponds with your rantum-scantum sched.”

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"Oh, J-Spoh, don't be so saucy!" And she’s all smiley and flips her perfectly waved, silky hair behind one shoulder. I’m too polite to tell her there is some baby George spit up on her cashmere loungewear. Probably organic, Kensington Garden gently pressed peas.

“Well, I just can’t wait to read more about Troixden - or fake England - ha-ha! Your voice is so captivating, dialogue so witty and characters so full of life! I feel like the fate of my own marriage hinges on that of William and Annelore!”

"Wow, thanks Cam-a-lamma-cam-cam. I couldn't have said it better myself."

You might also enjoy...
A Little Labor Advice for Her Grace
Oh, Baby!
What If...
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Vote for G* the Griffin

8/13/2014

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You came up with some pretty great names, folks, but in the interest of narrowing, I picked just the G's, 'cause alliteration and all.

So vote away! Winner gets an e-copy of God & King. And yes, I am all about tactics here, like harassing your friends and family to vote for the name you came up with. 

Most votes by Sunday wins!


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God & King Cover Reveal & Contest!

7/17/2014

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With many thanks again to the crazy talented Kelly Leslie, it's finally here: the blood red cover of God & King!
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You say "gryphon I say "griffin," but however you spell it, I think he's pretty darn fantabulous all stepping on a sword and clutching a cross with his talons saying, "Yeah, I'm a mythical beast, but I can take you twenty times to next Tuesday, pipsqueak." 

But what will his name be? 
Well, you tell me, and win!


Make sure to sign up for my newsletter (if you're not already), then put your name suggestion below. The winning name gets a FREE electronic ARC of God & King!

And yeah, no, he won't be named Bob. You can come stronger than that people. 

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Peep Joust

4/24/2014

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A little spring time frivolity...though not if you're a Peep. 
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Beta Winners!

4/22/2014

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Congrats to Chanpreet and Susan for winning the Beta Reader contest! 

Thanks all for your entries!

Didn't win this time? Never fear - I'll have an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) contest too so stay tuned.

And to stay up to date on all the contests and news, but sure to sign up for the newsletter and get access to Folke magazine, free!

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God & King Beta Reader - Couldst it be thou?

4/11/2014

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By royal decree, two loyal subjects shall be the first in the realm to read God & King, the forthcoming continued saga of our faire land of Troixden. 

"Let it be mine own!" Thou cries. 
By all means, get thy quill & sign as a new subscriber. If thou hast done so afore, one must needs with haste post thy musings of Heirs & Spares at the book merchant thou preferest. Do then, show Us thy words below. 

But I hath done all this and more! Good people, peace. Merely bespeak on ye Book of Faces that Heirs & Spares is 99 pence until April 20th. 

Ye shall hear of thy winnings in a fortnight, the twenty-first of April.


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The Winner is...You!

4/10/2014

7 Comments

 
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You voted & this is now my "official" author photo...of course, you'll probably see a bunch of them around the site & other places, but this color (and black & white for the book) will be what I use publicly. Thanks for all your comments and votes!

But wait! Unlike porridge for Oliver Twist, there's more! 

It's God & King Beta Reader Contest time!

Want to be one of two people to read God & King and give me input before it hits the printing press and cyber shelves? And want to get your mitts on in it in two week' time? But of course you do.

So here's how to enter: become a new subscriber to my newsletter, or, if you already subscribe, post a review of Heirs & Spares on whatever site you prefer and post the link to that review in the comment section below. 

Done all that? Share that Heirs & Spares is 99 cents until Easter (April 20th) on Facebook (and link it below).

I'll randomly select two winners ('cause it's the second book) on Monday April 21st! 

May the odds be ever in your favor...wait, that's a different book...

7 Comments

Narrow It Down

4/2/2014

2 Comments

 
Call me indecisive...but really, this is just fun. Photo 1 & 2 from the previous voting are neck & neck, so I thought I'd make it more interesting by letting you vote on the color or black & white for each of those. 

You can still vote up the two other pictures from the previous poll if you want as well. I just love hearing your input! 

Have at it!
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Photo 1
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Photo 2
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Photo 3
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Photo 4
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