This week's Spotlight on Author is on Kathy Stewart and her latest release, Mark of the Leopard.
Who is Kathy Stewart?
I was born in South Africa and now live on the Gold Coast, Australia. I’ve always been passionate about writing and penned my first novel when I was eight. I also loves reading, nature in all its forms, and being in the outdoors, whether its hiking, cycling, playing golf and simply walking along a beach – preferably deserted, so I have plenty of time to hatch another storyline! J
Kathy Stewart on the web:
Who is your favourite author?
That’s a hard one. I have so many authors I admire. Recently I read All The Things You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and I found it brilliant so I would have to say at the moment he’s my favourite author. But then I also recently read and enjoyed the Rosie comedy series by Graeme Simseon, and the entire Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series by RR Martin, so you could say my tastes are eclectic and my next favourite author is somewhere on the horizon.
Do you listen to music while you write?
Ha, ha! Believe it or not, I have the TV on while I write. And no, it doesn’t distract me. The habit stemmed from a time when I was alone a lot and having the voices in the background gave the illusion that I had company. I suppose the best analogy is that of a writer who likes to work in a coffee shop or café. I’m pretty good at shutting out distractions so it works for me. Also, I find music affects my mood, so I suspect I would write according to what was playing in the background if I listened to music as I wrote.
What type of music do you like?
I’m not so keen on the classics and prefer music from the 60s onwards. If I was going to write to music, though, I think I would have to be careful what I chose because it would definitely affect the mood of my writing.
What do you do to relax?
When I’m not writing I read a lot and love watching movies, but I also enjoy more active things like gardening, swimming, walking, cycling and playing golf. I’m always hatching new plots for novels so the outdoor activities give me time to come up with intriguing scenarios.
Tell us about your book...
The novel is set in the early 1700s, a time when the slave trade was rampant and many people were taken against their will to work on farms and plantations in far-off countries. It’s against this background that Sabrina Barrington is forced to make a decision no person should have to. Heartbroken and bereft, she and her family are shipwrecked off the Cape of Good Hope and presumed drowned. Fourteen years later, her brother, Lucien Castle, is told that a young man claiming to be Sabrina’s son has been seen on the island of Madagascar.
If the story is true, it’s imperative to find the youngster and return him to England, otherwise his hated grandfather, Robert Barrington, will usurp his rightful inheritance. Lucien embarks on a voyage to find his nephew, and in the course of his journey faces danger at every turn. He is also hiding a tragic secret, and Marikye, the woman he finds he is falling in love with, has a dark past of her own. The questions are: will Lucien find his nephew, and will he and Marikye be able to overcome the hurdles of their past to find love again?
Mark
of the Leopard
From the author of Chameleon comes this historical
fiction novel, Mark of the Leopard, the second in the African history series,
a story of romance, mystery, danger and betrayal set against a backdrop of
wild lands and raging seas.
In 1703 Sabrina Barrington and her
children are shipwrecked and presumed drowned off the Cape of Good Hope, the
site of the present-day city of Cape Town. Fourteen years later, an
investigator tells Sabrina’s brother, Lucien Castle, that one of his sister’s
children has been seen on the island of Madagascar, off Africa’s east coast. It
is imperative to return the youngster to England before his twenty-fifth
birthday, otherwise his grandfather, the corrupt and detested Robert
Barrington, will usurp his rightful inheritance. Castle is the only one who can
confirm the young man is not an impostor. In order to do this he must leave the
comfort of Amsterdam in Holland and embark on a journey into the unknown.
Will Castle be able to
overcome his demons and find his nephew in time? Or will he succumb to the
perils that beset his epic expedition every step of the way?
In a voyage that takes
them from the untamed island of Madagascar to the storm-tossed Dutch outpost at
the Cape of Good Hope, Castle and his companion must face innumerable dangers
and battle not only rival investigators but also each other.
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Mark of the Leopard
by Kathy Stewart
Giveaway ends December 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Congratulations to Kathy! The book sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds intriguing... one of my favorite series was set in the 1700-1800's... Such great history to work with xox -
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! It's great to receive positive feedback.
DeleteWhich series was that, Lau
DeleteGood answers, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, William.
DeleteSounds like a great read. Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sandra. I think the artist did a great job too. He captured the essence of the story really well.
DeleteWhat a beautiful cover! Sounds like a great story and setting, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I love the cover too. It captures the mood of the story so well.
ReplyDeleteHello fellow (if former) South African!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting story set in a fascinating time.
Hello, Misha. Lovely to make contact! Yes, I loved writing the book and doing the research. The settings really inspired me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous cover. Historical novels are some of my favorites. Congratulations. Your story sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beverley. So glad you like the cover. I hope you enjoy the book too!
DeleteThe leopard there just jumps out at you. Congratulations to Kathy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephanie. It's a gorgeous pic of the leopard, isn't it? The leopard is so integral to the story too.
DeleteThe book looks and sounds terrific. Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteRight down my alley. Heck yeah! It's one my "as soon as my budget replenishes (darn Christmas), I must have this book!" list.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks, Crystal. Enjoy Christmas and enjoy reading the book!
DeleteThanks, Sherry. I hope you enjoy reading it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read too many books from that time period. It looks like an interesting premise. I used to watch with the TV on, but now I play either white sound or music.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy reading this one, Medeia. I think white sound would work for me too. Good idea.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really fascinating story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deniz. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteYes, it does sound like a fascinating story, Kathleen. It also sounds like you've had an exciting life, too, moving from continent to continent. I can't listen to music or watch TV when I write. Unfortunately, I get distracted. And with 8 people in my house, I'm never alone. Great interview, Nas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria. It must be hard not to get distracted with such a full house. All the best with your writing.
ReplyDelete