Blog Tour- TARNISH by Katherine Longshore and a Giveaway!

Today I have my friend and amazing author Katherine Longshore here to talk about why she writes Historical YA and also why even though Jon Rhys-Meyers and Henry Cavil are delicious; she couldn’t get into the Tudors TV series. Also make sure to enter the giveaway below for earrings inspired by Anne Boleyn if you look at the book cover they’re really similar! Ok on to the post!

Why write historical? If Tarnish was set in modern times do you think that Anne would a different person? Why or why not?

Because it has everything!  Love, loss, friendship, betrayal, growth, death, sex, violence—you name it.  I love the depth and breadth of history, the psychology of the characters, the ability to play around with inside jokes and foresight (which is really hindsight, I suppose).  It’s fun!  I’m not opposed to writing contemporary stories—and I have a few ideas for some—but for now, this is where I am.

And I think that no matter when her story was set, my version of Anne would be the same character.  Her voice came to me all in a rush, and wouldn’t let go.  I knew how she spoke, I knew what she thought, I knew how she interacted with people.  This character could exist in the 16^th century or the 21^st.  She might live in an alternate universe.  Like me, and what I write, she is who she is.  And a little detail like setting couldn’t change that.  Perhaps her story might be different, but the character would be the same.

I know you’re not a big fan of the show The Tudors can you tell us why?

Honestly, I can’t really make a judgment on the entire Tudors canon because I’ve only seen the first three episodes.  Those were lush, stylish, sexy and had immense visual appeal.  But I haven’t watched any more for three reasons.

1.The show is full of historical inaccuracies.  I had been reading the history and biographies of these people for years and the imprecision upset my delicate sensibilities.  In the very first episode—in the very first scene—Henry’s uncle is assassinated by the French.  I sat there, yelling at the screen, “Henry didn’t have an uncle! Who is this guy?”  In the next episode, Henry’s sister Margaret married the aging duke of Portugal and later murders him so she can marry (the really rather luscious) Charles Brandon instead.  In reality, Henry’s sister Margaret married James of Scotland and was an ancestor of the Stuart kings.  His sister Mary married the aging kind of France, who died rather abruptly and she married Brandon afterwards.  My husband refused to watch any more with me when I ranted for a full five minutes.

However, now that I have written my own historical fiction, I can see why the writers made these choices.  The murder of Henry’s uncle is a wonderful inciting incident and gives the audience the impression that Henry’s cause is just.  And I can see why they wanted to get Francis (the “new” King of France) into the series early—he’s a great foil for Henry (and the actor who plays him—Emmanuel LeConte is quite dashing).  But in order to do that, the writers had to dispense with the real marriage between Mary and Francis’ father-in-law, Louis.  The marriage between the beautiful princess and the elderly lech was too good to pass up, so they just invented one.   I understand, I can see the justification, but I still chafe at the disappearance of the real Margaret Tudor. 

2.Jonathan Rhys Meyers.  He’s hot.  He’s sexy.  He’s fiendishly good-looking.  He has an incredible array of devilish expressions.  But he looks nothing like my vision of Henry VIII.  Sorry, Jonathan.  I think you’ll make a fabulous Dracula!

3. Lastly, I started writing my own books about Henry’s court shortly after the first couple of series of The Tudors was aired.   I decided that I couldn’t see any movies/TV shows or read any fiction about him or his wives for fear someone else’s ideas about the characters should color mine.  So I have continued to avoid watching for that reason.  I think—when all this is over—I’ll go back and watch them all.  I’d love to see how they portray Thomas Wyatt, George Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Thomas Culpepper.  I’d love to see someone else’s vision of how story can meet history.  And I’d just like to immerse myself in the beauty of the costumes and pageantry.

Thanks for stopping by Katy!!!

About TARNISH!

Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach her on how to shine at court—and to convince the whole court they’re lovers—she accepts. Before long, Anne’s popularity has soared, and even the charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne wants a voice—but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart's desire and the chance to make history.

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Check out the trailer!!!!









About Katherine:
Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years and discovered history. She now lives in California with her husband, two children and a sun-worshiping dog.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway:

1 winner will receive A pair of Anne Boleyn inspired earrings and a signed Hardcover of Tarnish

2 winners will receive signed copies of Tarnish 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the Tour Schedule for more awesome posts!!!

6/10/2013   Tales of a Ravenous Reader- Guest Post 

6/11/2013   Hobbisites- Interview 

6/12/2013   Mundie Moms- Guest Post    

6/13/2013   Literary Exploration- Review

6/14/2013   Confessions of a Book Addict- Review   

6/17/2013   Good Books and Good Wine- Guest Post  

6/18/2013   Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post  

6/19/2013   Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post       

6/20/2013  Taters's Tall Tails- Guest Post      

6/21/2013   Pageturners- Review