Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Guest post by Michelle Moran (and an awesome giveaway!)

I'm thrilled to welcome Michelle Moran to Diary of an Eccentric to talk about her inspiration for Cleopatra's Daughter (click here to read my review).  Michelle is one of my favorite authors, and it's been a pleasure trading e-mails with her.  If you haven't managed to get your hands on a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter yet, you're in luck!  Michelle is generously offering some goodies to a lucky reader.  Details will follow her guest post.

Why Cleopatra's Daughter?

It began with a dive. Not the kind of dive that people take into swimming pools, but the kind where you squeeze yourself into a wetsuit and wonder just how tasty your rump must appear to passing sharks now that it looks exactly like an elephant seal. My husband and I had taken a trip to Egypt, and at the suggestion of a friend, we decided to go to Alexandria and do a dive to see the remains of Cleopatra’s underwater city. Let it be known that I had never done an underwater dive before, so after four days with an instructor (and countless questions like, Will there be sharks? How about jellyfish? If there is an earthquake, what happens underwater?) we were ready for the real thing.

We drove to the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria. Dozens of other divers were already there, waiting to see what sort of magic lay beneath the waves. I wondered if the real thing could possibly live up to all of the guides and brochures selling this underwater city, lost for thousands of years until now. Then we did the dive, and it was every bit as magical as everyone had promised. You can see the rocks which once formed Marc Antony’s summer palace, come face to face with Cleopatra’s towering sphinx, and take your time floating above ten thousand ancient artifacts, including obelisks, statues, and countless amphorae. By the time we had surfaced, I was Cleopatra-obsessed. I wanted to know what had happened to her city once she and Marc Antony had committed suicide. Where did all of its people go? Were they allowed to remain or were they killed by the Romans? What about her four children? 

It was this last question which surprised me the most. I had always believed that all of Cleopatra’s children had been murdered. But the Roman conqueror Octavian had actually spared the three she bore to Marc Antony: her six-year-old son, Ptolemy, and her ten-year-old twins, Alexander and Selene. As soon as I learned that Octavian had taken the three of them for his Triumph in Rome, I knew at once I had my next book. This is how all of my novels seem to begin – with a journey, then an adventure, and finally, enormous amounts of research for what I hope is an exciting story.

******

Thanks, Michelle!  She's obviously very passionate about history, and it really shows in her novels.

Now for the giveaway:

Michelle is generously offering a hardcover copy of Cleopatra's Daughter, a paperback copy of The Heretic Queen (which I reviewed here), and an ancient Roman coin (like the one here) with a certificate of authenticity.

One lucky winner will receive all three prizes.  However, if you've already read Cleopatra's Daughter or The Heretic Queen, just let me know in your entry; if you're chosen, I can select another winner for the book you already have, and you will receive the book you haven't yet read plus the ancient Roman coin.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will end Sunday, Nov. 8 at 11:59 pm EST.  The winner will be chosen randomly.

82 comments:

Melody said...

Great giveaway, Anna!
I'd love to win a copy of The Heretic Queen and an ancient Roman coin.

melreadingcorner(at)gmail(dot)com

mariag said...

Great giveaway!!
I have tried and failed to win this book many times.
By all accounts a great book.
Please enter me to win

fmlj94@yahoo.com

Zia said...

I would love to enter!

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

bookmagic said...

I have The Heretic Queen but am dying to read Cleopatra's Daughter. Thanks for the giveaway

bookmagic418@gmail.com

Suko said...

Awesome giveaway! Thank you so much!

I have The Heretic Queen already but would love to read Cleopatra's Daughter.

suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

What a wonderful giveaway! Michelle Moran is such a generous & talented woman. Please include me in your giveaway!

Thank you for offering this great giveaway!

Aimala127[at]gmail[dor]com

Anonymous said...

I have seen many of Michelle Moran's posts around the blogosphere recently, and I am stunned at her generosity. :) And worldwide, no less.

I would be delighted to enter.

jmfictionscribe(at)gmail(dot)com

Mystica said...

The reviews for these have been wonderful and all the giveaways for Heretic Queen have sadly, been
restricted! Yours is the only one which is offering it for overseas viewers.

Please count me in.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Mel u said...

please enter me-thanks

Blodeuedd said...

I loved Cleopatra's Daughter, but that is so far the only book I have read by Moran so I would love to read The Heretic Queen.
So please enter me for that one :)

blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

The best giveaway, I would really
love to win this book and coin.

I follow by google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

What a generous giveaway! I've been trying to get a hold of these books - they sound fabulous and I haven't read either of them...

melacan at hotmail dot com

Serena said...

No need to enter me, but I wanted to say great inspiration, Michelle. And I'll pop the giveaway in my sidebar for you!

Nise' said...

I have not read either book yet! Thanks for a great giveaway.

nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

Tea said...

Wow!! I would feel so happy to win all three prizes. I hope crossing my fingers and feet will help me. :)

teakettle58atyahoodotcom

Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian said...

These sound fantastic, we love good historical fiction! Please add us to the list!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I haven't read either book yet. Or Nefertiti. So it hurts to say don't enter me. The TBR mountain wins again. :(

I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail, babe. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Rachel said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My kids would be fascinated with the coin. I already have a copy of The Heretic Queen.

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Iliana said...

What an awesome giveaway - please enter my name! I didn't know you could see Cleopatra's underwater city. That really sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Very cool.

Anonymous said...

haven't read any, would like to,thx for contest..
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Sarah E said...

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

holdenj said...

Please count me in! I love Moran's wetsuit/dive story. Thanks for the chance to read some good historical fiction!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Kay said...

Oooh, an authentic Roman coin!! Please count me in :)

(I am of course interested in the books too, especially as I read many good things about them, but while winning them would be nice I could always buy them in a store or get them from a library -- whereas an authentic Roman coin, now that's rare :) :) )

My email address is kay at kaysbookshelf dt com

a real librarian said...

Thanks for the giveaway!!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

Arielle said...

I'd love to read both of these! Please enter me in the giveaway :)

arielleb42[at]gmail[dot]com

Thanks!

Celticlady's Reviews said...

I would be interested in this giveaway...I have read neither of these books.

Thank you

momkelly2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jessica said...

Awesome giveaway!
Please enter me!

j.brol@yahoo.com

Nikki in Niagara said...

I haven't read either yet and I keep entering contests hoping to win one! Please enter me!

nicolama at cogeco dot ca

tetewa said...

Thanks for the opportunity, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

Michelle said...

I haven't read either yet but I really want to. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

Michelle
mybooksmylife[AT]gmail[DOT]com

Carla Ribeiro said...

Hello! I've tried so many times to win this book... Please count me in!

carianmoonlight(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol M said...

I really want to read this book! Thank you for the giveaway!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Both of these are on my must read list so please enter me!
kathydetweielr@gmail.com

Stitchin in the Sip said...

This book is on my Must Read list. I would love to win.

Josette said...

Hi there, I came here through Historical Tapestry! I'd love to try my luck, please count me in.

josettebooks[at]yahoo[dot]com

Thanks! :)

Helen Greenwood said...

Fab giveaway! Would love to enter, pretty please!

Helen x

tennesseehollow at gmail dot com

Carol W. said...

I'd be pleased to read either of the books. Thanks for the giveaway.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Veens said...

Great Post Michelle. Love your pic there.
And Great giveaway.. Thank You Anna.
I have a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter.. but would love to enter for Heretic Queen and the COIN! wow! some real cool GOODIES :)

LoveMyCoffee said...

Great giveaway! I haven't read either of these books, but would love to.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

Helen said...

I haven't read either of those books yet. I would love to enter. Thanks!

helenlovesbooks81(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendy said...

What a wonderful interview! I would love to read her books!

Thank you for the entry!

Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com

coffeeeeeeeee said...

I am such a huge Michelle Moran fan! I'd love the chance to win Cleo's Daughter.

Thanks for the chance to win a great book!

mmmmmmcoffee(at)gmail(dot)com

Laura's Reviews said...

Great giveaway. I love historical fiction and would love to have a chance to read a new author. My email address is laarlt78(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Thanks!

DarcyO said...

I have not read either book, but have heard they are both wonderful. Please include me.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Farrah from The Book Faery Reviews said...

I have entered NUMEROUS giveaways trying to get a copy of both books! LOL

thebookfaeryreviews AT gmail DOT com

lag123 said...

I haven't read either of these yet but am wanting to read them very much.

lag110@mchsi.com

kristinemarie7 said...

Please enter me, I haven't read either yet. Thanks!
kristinemarie7 at gmail.com

Martha Lawson said...

Great giveaway, please count me in..

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, me likey! As with mariag, I, too, have joined in so many giveaways for this book. I've failed. Boo.

Anyhoo. :)

esashamartinez(at)yahoo(dot)com

chocowafer said...

I'd love to be entered for The Heretic Queen since I've already have a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

austenfanblogs at gmail dot com

Strangelove said...

Count me in, pease!

carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com

Edu Chico said...

Oh, I would love to read this!
:O
educhico AT gmail DOT com

Jafantunes said...

I hope you count me in: jafantunes [@] sapo [.] pt

Cavalier said...

Oh, goody!
:D
o_rei_de_havana(at)hotmail(dot)com

MariaD said...

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
@
gmail.com

Put me up for this, if you don't mind.
I think we are on for a treat with this one!

Caty said...

Hi there!
I'm signing up for this one: catarina DOT magoito AT gmail DOT com

Marie said...

Sounds like a great giveaway!

marielay@gmail.com

Caty said...

Please sign me up.
I thought I had already signed up but I guess not.
catarina DOT magoito AT gmail DOT com

Susy said...

39(dot)5susy(at)gmail(dot)com
;)

Mil said...

Hey there!
Just found this through a link in another blog!
Thanks for the chance!

goncalo.mil AT gmail.com

J Dias said...

I hope I get lucky!
joanapatriciadias[@]gmail[.]com

Tanita said...

Oh, good, I still got here on time!
tanitalves AT sapo DOT pt
Best wishes!

Cheri said...

I would love to win these books. I've chosen Cleopatra's Daughter for my book club to read in December. I've heard such great things about it, I'm excited to read it.
cheri at mplx dot com

Maugd said...

A friend of mine just told me about this!
I leave my email for the giveaway, ok?
mauagd AT gmail DOT com

Flip! said...

Found out the Big List of Book Giveaways and I ran to this one.
I had already read about the book, so I was already aware that it would be a great book!
luisfilipebarros88(at)gmail(dot)com

Rosa Maria said...

rosamariabarrosmaria {@} gmail {.} com

Hello there!
I've been trying for this book for a while now!
Let's hope this time's the charm!

Rocha 85 said...

Oh, I would love to read this!
Even better if I win it, of course!
joaomiguelrocha85 AT gmail DOT com

Augustus said...

Another book for my wishlist.
If I win it here, I will read it imediatly, otherwise, I will ask my wife for it on Christmas!
:)

augustod56 AT gmail DOT com

Isis Path said...

Well, hello there!
Two books and a Coin, what a great giveaway!
I would like to be entered.

isispath AT gmail DOT com

Mar Bar said...

Oh, this one is international!
How nice of you!
This time I'm going for it!

mariabarros1987 [@gmail.com]

Fili 90 said...

Not usually lucky!
I think the only thing I ever won was a teddy bear back when I was 5.
And the only thing I did was pose for a picture!
Eheheheh.
Maybe I can win a second prize 20 years later?

filipemaria90 AT gmail DOT com

Jardim said...

TSS List of book giveaways is great I tell you!
:)

migueljardim85 [at] gmail [dot] com

Caty said...

Oh, I have a duplicated post!
Damn!
I don't know what happened, because when I posted the second time I couldn't see the first comment!
Delete the second on, ok?

Jaime said...

Still room for me?

alexsweetbabygirl [@] gmail.com

Belinda M said...

Please include me in your giveaway

I have not read any of the books yet


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Reading said...

I would love to win. Please count me in. Thanks for the chance.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Nancye said...

This looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous giveaway. I'd love a shot at these.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anna said...

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered. The winner will be announced soon!