Ever since visiting Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, as a teenager, I've been fascinated by the Shakers. I've read many books about the religion, and the first work of fiction I read about them was Janice Holt Giles' The Believers. Since then I've always been on the lookout for historical fiction featuring this sect, so I was thrilled when I ran across Eleanor Kuhns' A Simple Murder. Most of you are well enough acquainted with me by now to know that I'd ask Eleanor if she would be willing to be interviewed-- especially when I found her blog and website and found all the historical goodies she's been sharing.
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| Eleanor Kuhns |
I hope you'll all click on these links and enjoy not only all her wonderful research, but getting to know her as well. Now-- on to the interview!
What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?
I learned to read at a very young age so the earliest book I remember is Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss. The appreciation of the underdog, and the concept of reward for kindness, has stayed with me all these years.
Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?
As you might guess from my main character, I am into textiles. I quilt, weave and dye. I used to sew but have had to give it up to make room for other things.
[I know all about making room. I donated 4,000 of my 6,000 books so I could have dedicated space for my craft room!]
If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)
Definitely the Heritage Trail, a walking, cycling path made from repurposed railroad right-of-ways that runs through Orange County, New York.
You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?
Wow, this is tough. I think Amanda Redman (from New Tricks). Hopefully, she could do an American accent!
[I love New Tricks!]
Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?
Inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte, in the series written by Anne Perry. (Sorry, I know it's two, but they are a team).
If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?
Something by Andre Norton (a Science fiction writer from my childhood). She wrote adventure SF that really shaped my world view and taught me a woman could write adventure and from a man's point of view.
How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?
When I first got the news from Minotaur, I ran around the house screaming. I couldn't relax for a week. And when I first saw A Simple Murder on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, I immediately took a picture.
Name one thing on your Bucket List.
Traveling to Greece and touring the Greek Islands of Crete and Santorini.
You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?
Definitely Barnes and Noble.
Thank you so much for spending this time with us, Eleanor. It was a pleasure to get to know you a little better.
May your book sales do nothing but increase!
Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?
As you might guess from my main character, I am into textiles. I quilt, weave and dye. I used to sew but have had to give it up to make room for other things.
[I know all about making room. I donated 4,000 of my 6,000 books so I could have dedicated space for my craft room!]
If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)
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| Heritage Trail |
You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?
 |
| Amanda Redman |
[I love New Tricks!]
Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?
Inspector Thomas Pitt and his wife Charlotte, in the series written by Anne Perry. (Sorry, I know it's two, but they are a team).
If you could have in your possession one signed first edition of any book in the world, which book would that be? Why that particular book?
How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?
When I first got the news from Minotaur, I ran around the house screaming. I couldn't relax for a week. And when I first saw A Simple Murder on the shelves of Barnes and Noble, I immediately took a picture.
Name one thing on your Bucket List.
 |
| Santorini |
You've just received a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Which bookstore are you making a bee-line for?
 |
| AVAILABLE NOW! |
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| AVAILABLE JUNE 18! |
Thank you so much for spending this time with us, Eleanor. It was a pleasure to get to know you a little better.
May your book sales do nothing but increase!
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