Monday, February 6, 2012

Donna Fletcher Crow's "A Darkly Hidden Truth, The Monastery Myrders 2"


Title: A Darkly Hidden Truth, The Monastery Murders 2
Publisher: Monarch Books, an imprint of Lion Hudson in the UK. My American publisher is Kregel Books.

Cover blurb: Felicity can’t possibly help Father Antony find the valuable missing icon. She’s off to become a nun. Then her impossible mother turns up unexpectedly. And a good friend turns up murdered. . .

Breathtaking chase scenes, mystical worship services, dashes through remote waterlogged landscapes, the wisdom of ancient holy women, and the arcane rites of the Knights Hospitaller keep the pages turning. Will Felicity choose the veil— or Antony?

1) How did this story come to you?
I have wanted to tell the stories of the mystical medieval women writers Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe for years. When my daughter, whose experiences studying in a monastery in Yorkshire provided the background for The Monastery Murders, told me about visiting an ancient abbey in Norfolk in an area so soggy the ruins were said to have sunk into the ooze and a beautiful church that survived Cromwell’s destruction because it was so wet his soldiers’ horses sank in the marsh I knew I had my setting. Then I visited the church myself and experienced climbing the bell tower. I knew I’d found the perfect spot for a chase scene.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
The real journey was getting A Very Private Grave, the first book in the series published because, although I had published 30 books in the 1980’s and ‘90’s, I had been out of the publishing loop for 10 years. I found Janet Benrey in a listing of agents online, but it wasn’t until I spoke to her on the telephone that I realized she is English. She was able to sell the book to an English publisher who appreciated the English background. Each book is a challenge, though, because they wait to contract a new book based on the American sales record of the current title.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Although my favorite activities are growing roses, drinking tea and reading Jane Austen, I was a tomboy growing up. As an only child I was my father’s son, which led to many adventures on horseback and becoming Miss Rodeo Idaho and runner-up to Miss Rodeo America. I am also an intrepid researcher and will do whatever I have to do for a book. One of the biggest challenges was rappelling into a lava cave even though I’m claustrophobic.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
An Unholy Communion, The Monastery Murders 3, is almost complete. It’s based on a research trip I took to Wales and England last spring which included walking 126 miles from London to Walsingham. I’m also looking for the perfect Victorian murder to use in book 4 of my Lord Danvers true-crime series and planning book 3 in the Elizabeth & Richard Murders which will have Jane Austen as the background literary figure.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you so much for inviting me to visit today, Kdawn. I love meeting readers. If anyone has any questions for me please leave them below and I’ll drop by to answer. Can’t wait to see who wins the free copy of A Darkly Hidden Truth!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Please visit my website at http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/. I have trailers for both of the Monastery Murders on my homepage, an album of photos from each of my research trips, a lot of information about all of my books and a slideshow of my garden.

29 comments:

  1. I loved your interview. It's always great to learn about authors and why they write what they write and a little about them as people. Thank you for sharing.

    Glenda Parker
    http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com

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  2. Hello! The cover of your book is fabulous...
    Covers are one of the first things I notice when
    perusing book stores. Also, I like the exotic
    places and twists and turns, that your book
    seems to have!
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  3. thank you for hosting me, K. Ddawn, and thank you for your comments, Glenda and Cindy. K. Dawn and I are doing a blog exchange, so lease come on over to http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/articles.php?id=106 to read K. Dawn's interview on my blog.

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  4. i have enjoyed other novels by Donna...but it's been awhile since i saw a new one by you. Have i been in the boonies? Thanks for the opportunity to win

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  5. I love romance with a little mystery and suspense and can't wait to read this book. I have added to my wish list as well as first book in series. Back in the 90's I was checking out 12 or more books every two weeks and reading so fast I would be back in less than 2 wks. I am sure I read some of your books then.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  6. I don't even have to read your books to know they're amazing, Donna, but, of course, I will read every one that I can possibly get my hands on. They're incredibly well-written and well-researched. And I'm positive that A Darkly Hidden Truth is right up there with the best of them.

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  7. I've read the first one in the series and I'd love to win this one! Enter me in the contest - Thanks!

    rysalias-anythin g(at)yahoo(dot)c om

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  8. oniblock@hotmail.comFebruary 7, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    I haven't read any of your books but this seems as if I won't be able to put it down. Please enter me in the competition !

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  9. These books sound fascinating! I love finding things that are different and spark my interest. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  10. A fabulous period in history. I envy you the research. It sounds like fun, as well as hard work.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. thanks for the chance to reaad this story :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  12. What wonderful replies! Wish I could send a book to each one of you! Love to all.

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  13. The monastery murders sound interesting. would like to win this one.
    JWIsley@aol.com

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  14. THis book sounds so exciting. I love historical novels. I'd love to win a copy - but must read the first one first! Amazon, here I come!!

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  15. Hello Donna and K.Dawn..This books sounds quite interesting, not my normal read but I think I would enjoy this series alot!! Thank you for posting this interview..these really help readers get a better vision of the author:) I would love to win..blessings

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  16. I can't afford all the books I want to read and yours is definitely on my list. I hope I win. I would NOT have pegged you as Miss Rodeo. Riding English or even side saddle maybe, but rodeo? I'm impressed.

    leanne[at]leannehardy[dot]net

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  17. Having read others of your books and loved them, I'd certainly like to read this one.
    AnnGaylia@hotmail.com

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  18. I've never read your books before, but a series titled Monastary Murders sounds fascinating! I would love to read A Darkly Hidden Truth.

    mama_java (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  19. Looks like a great book I would love to read.
    debbie (at) taulman (dot) org

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  20. Monastery mysteries sound like fun stories. Bet your tomboy days will help in your MS.

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  21. I'd love to read this. Those ruins sound so atmospheric.

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  22. More wonderful comments! Again, thank you all and thank you, K. Dawn for giving me a chance to connect with these great readers!

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  23. Avid reader, but never read D.F. Crow's books, so definitely willing to check it out.

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  24. I am a true anglophile & would love the setting of your book in the UK. You must have had a fascinating time while there! Do keep the books coming!! :O) Please enter me in the free drawing, thank you!!!
    God bless you, Dawn
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  25. I am sure that I will not "win" anything. It is rare, after all, and there are already over 20 entries. But I'll give it a shot, I suppose.

    I've never been able to buy anything on Amazon, so I can't say much about it. I'd love to be able to buy books for my Kindle there, but if not, I'll survive with what I have.

    The books are set in England? I just love imagining a British accent! British accents are so endearing!

    I probably won't "win" anything, but,

    kaymart_1984@hotmail.com

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  26. How very interesting! I would very much like to win this book and read it.
    Kaye Whitney
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

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  27. nice interview

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  28. And the winner is---
    I copied all comments, cut them apart, put them in a box and asked my husband to draw. Oniblock was the winning name.
    Again, thank you all for your lovely comments. I truly wish I could send every one of you a book.

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