Bio: Tracy
L. Higley started her first novel at age eight and has been hooked on writing
ever since. She has authored many novels, including Garden of Madness
and So Shines the Night. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient
History and has traveled through Greece ,
Turkey , Egypt , Israel ,
Jordan , and Italy ,
researching her novels and falling into adventures.
Welcome back, Tracy .
Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I’m excited to be writing novels set in ancient times, but
outside traditional biblical fiction. By focusing on pagan cultures and
characters, I hope to give readers a window into the ancient world through their
eyes. So many of us are very knowledgeable about biblical history, and
specifically the history of the nation of Israel . But we don’t always have
clear connection points, tying those Old Testament stories with the rest of “World
History” we learned years ago. Were the pyramids built when Joseph was in Egypt ? What did
the Jewish people think about Julius Caesar? How did displaced Jews worship in Greece before
the time of Christ? I love having the opportunity to open up the rest of the
ancient world for readers, but from a biblical worldview. And my goal with
every book I write is to transport readers to that world. While they are on
this journey with me, I hope to teach a little bit of history, entertain with a
great suspense plot, and also provoke thought about the deeper issues addressed
in the book, including what the gospel means for every person, in every time.
Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest
day in your life?
That’s a tough question! There are so many points of joy
along the journey, including marriage and the births of my children, and the
moments of personal success like having books published.
How has being published changed your life?
Certainly it is validation that I have some skill with the
written word, which is very nice. But more than anything, I would say it’s
given me an even greater drive and desire to improve, to find creative and
effective ways to share truth with people, to listen to what it is God wants to
say through me. That desire grows with the readership.
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading a children’s book, The Land of Stories,
because my 11 year old just finished it and wanted me to read it, too! On my
read-next list: Second Birth by Jack Althouse.
What is your current work in progress?
I’m currently working on a trilogy of novellas, tracing the
journey of the magi from their Persian origins, across the desert on an epic
quest. It won’t be your typical Christmas story by any means!
Sounds interesting. I'd love to feature it on my blog. What would be your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would combine research/learning with
leisure, and I’ve actually already taken several of these while researching my
books. I’ve traveled to Greece ,
Egypt , Israel , Turkey ,
Jordan, and Italy in the
past few years, digging up research and having a great time.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
It’s actually the settings that fascinate me most, and are
the place where I begin. I’m working my way through the ancient world,
exploring each culture in turn, and the settings are choosing me!
If you could spend an evening with one person who is
currently alive, who would it be and why?
I’d love to sit over coffee and talk books and myth and
history with Stephen Lawhead.
What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Besides writing, I also run an internet retail company,
selling craft and hobby supplies online. I enjoy working on the marketing,
promotion, and analysis of the company, finding ways to improve. I also love
the opera, and try to get to the Met’s HD broadcast in our local IMAX theater every
month.
What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you
overcome it?
I think the toughest part most days is getting started.
There are so many things, good things, to distract or suck up the time. And
because writing is hard, I tend to stall, trying to avoid the effort that it
takes. Some days I don’t overcome this obstacle! But mostly, it’s the deadlines
that drive me to “just do it.”
What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Learn, learn, learn! There are a multitude of opportunities
out there, from books to conferences to other writers, that can help you learn
about the craft of writing. You may have been born with talent, but you have to
learn how to use it well. Work hard at learning, put the knowledge into
practice by writing, and you will make progress.
Tell us about the featured book.
The Queen’s Handmaid is just out! From the servant halls of
Cleopatra’s Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will
serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.
Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a
servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping
everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too
many times in her short life.
But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings
of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to
those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia
must leave the nearest thing she’s had to family and flee to Jerusalem . Once in the Holy City ,
she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid
to Queen Mariamme.
Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political
family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the
palace to protect her treasure, Lydia
must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy
all hope of the coming Messiah.
Please give us the first page of the book.
January, 39 BC
The shouts had come thirty minutes earlier. The Idumean
governor of the north-country province
of Israel was navigating
his ship into the royal port. Slaves assigned to watch the darkening harbor
scuttled back to the palace.
In the kitchens, Banafrit was barking commands at her
frantic staff, her voice a whip-crack over slaves and servants alike who scurried
to do her bidding. But Lydia ’s
presence was neither needed nor expected there, and her secret errand would not
wait. She risked a beating, or worse, but it was not the first time.
From somewhere in the cavernous palace came a haunting
melody plucked on lyre strings, but the gray walls of the darkened corridor
tunneled away from the sound to the south wall. Lydia sped forward on sure feet,
sandals scuffing the stone floors. She could navigate these halls in darkness,
and often did, to be alone with her thoughts.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Please visit me at www.TracyHigley.com! I’ve filled this site chock-full with my
travel journals to the locations of my books, plus videos and photos, lots of
information on what’s fact and fiction in my books, and much more. My website also has links to my Facebook
Page. I hope you’ll visit!
Retailers + Resources gave it this glowing review: "Rich in historic detail, Higley’s vivid writing brings to life the plots and intrigues that swirled through the ancient world as alliances were built and broken on the calculated schemes of power-mad monarchs."
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley
Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Tracy's blog on April 21st to see if you won.
Thank you, Tracy, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Queen's Handmaid - Christianbook.comThe Queen's Handmaid - Amazon
The Queen's Handmaid - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Portsmouth, VA
ReplyDeleteYay! I was wanting to read this book! My sister has many other books by Tracy L. Higley too.
ReplyDeleteJ.C. -Indiana-
I love ancient history, so I'm sure I'd enjoy The Queen's Handmaid.
ReplyDeleteTennessee
Love Tracy's books. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCathy from BC Canada
Thanks so much for the interview, Lena! I appreciate getting the chance to meet your readers!
ReplyDeleteSounds great! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMelanie Backus, TX
This sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteMary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com
I love historical fiction but I have fallen in love with biblical fiction in the last year! It makes digging into the Word so much more colorful! I'd love to add The Queen's Handmaid to my collection!
ReplyDeleteKristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a book I would love!
ReplyDeleteJean K
West Palm Beach, FL
I love the way this story is laid out. I love how Lydia overcomes the damage that rejection can cause. It sounds like an exciting ride.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview.
Kelly
Prescott, Arizona
I enjoyed Tracy's interview and would love to win a copy of THE QUEEN'S HANDMAID! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBritney Adams, TX
I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteCourtney from Arkansas