Author Sarah Barthel
Sarah Barthel was raised on a steady diet of old Hollywood musicals and classic literature. Nurturing her love of language, she learned French, Latin and Japanese. This led her to study in Paris and host a Japanese exchange student. She followed her passion to American University in Washington DC, where she studied British literature and history. Since then she has thrown herself into writing. She loves to find unique, and unexplored ideas in familiar settings. A member of the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators, she currently lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, daughter and two crazy dogs.
Interview
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I would totally travel to the past. I’d love to live in Victorian England or World War Two Brittan or America.?
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
It’d be interesting to be invisible for a day and see what people are like without an audience.
One food you would never eat?
Insects.? I just can’t handle the legs.
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
You should buy Mackenzie’s Cross because, as a historical romance/mystery, it will keep you guessing where the plot will turn next.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’m currently working on a novel about a girl’s friendship with Mary Todd Lincoln while they are patients at an insane asylum.
If you could jump in to a book and live in that world, which would it be?
I love Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy. It has the feel of Medieval Europe with the spontaneity of good fantasy.
What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
I would urge any aspiring author to connect with other writers whether through writing groups, organizations, conferences or classes.
If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
Idina Menzel (who originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway) would play me because she is inspirational and any movie made about my life would have to be filled with big Broadway songs.
What was your favorite children’s book?
East of the Sun, West of the Moon.? I had a beautiful edition of that fable that I read till it fell apart.
How do you react to a bad review?
I am oddly ok with bad reviews.? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and just because someone doesn’t like a book doesn’t make it bad.
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
The summer I got serious about writing my husband and I vacationed in California and visited Disneyland.? I swore that I wouldn’t visit Disney World until I had published a book.? Two weeks after Mackenzie’s Cross came out I was hugging Mickey and dancing with Cinderella.?
Something your readers would never guess about you
I have a huge collection of Rubber Ducks. From Shakespeare to basketball players,I have at least 50 special ducks sitting in my office.
Happiest moment in your life so far:
Adopting my beautiful daughter. She is amazing and I’d not be the person I am without her.
What words or expression do you overuse?
I think I say ‘like’ more often than I think.
What is your favorite scene in the book?
I really like the scene toward the end with Patrick and Mackenzie hiding in the garden maze.
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What’s your favorite word?
Bubbles.? I don’t think anyone can say that word and not smile.
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This or That
Answer a few or all of them…
TV or Movies? Movies
Print or Ebook? Print
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Regular or Diet? Diet
Horror or Romance? Romance
Skittles or M&Ms? M&Ms
City or Country? City
Harry Potter or Twilight? Harry Potter
Spontaneity or Planning Ahead? Planning Ahead
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Text or Talk? Talk
Introvert or Extrovert? Introvert
Mackenzie’s Cross
Sweet Historical Romance
Mackenzie’s life has been one of duty. However, in a land where even the Brotherhood of the Knights are becoming power hungry mongers, how can one fourteen-year-old woman maintain her identity and morals when tempted with all she’s never had?
Mackenzie grew up as a maid in Duke and Duchess Kensington’s kitchen. On the eve of the Duke’s death, the Duchess informs Mackenzie that she is the illegitimate daughter of Duke Kensington and heir to his land and title. After authorities declare the Duke’s murder natural causes, Mackenzie must confront the dark forces in the castle and discover what truly happened to her father.
?Giveaway Details
1 Ebook of Mackenzie’s Cross
Open Internationally
Ends 8/5/13
