Author Interview: Christy English talks about The Queen's Pawn

Today I am happy to bring you the very talented Christy English, author of The Queen's Pawn, which you can read my review for here: The Queen's Pawn review. 

Thank you Christy, for giving "Confessions and Ramblings of a Muse in the Fog" a deeper look into your exciting novel!

The Queens Pawn is told from both Alais and Eleanor's perspective. Did you enjoy writing from one of their perspectives more? If so, why?
I loved writing from both of their perspectives. They are such different women, coming from such different backgrounds and experiences. Eleanor was born knowing her own strength, while Alais in my novel is just beginning to know hers. Both women kept me fascinated from page one all the way to the end.


What inspired you to write about Alais and Eleanor?
I first saw THE LION IN WINTER when I was in high school, but I didn’t think much about those characters again until I had moved to New York and was wondering what in the world my next book was going to be. That’s when Alais showed up…she tiny, quiet voice said, “Remember the princess from THE LION IN WINTER? I want to share her side of the story.” I sat down the next week and got to work on THE QUEEN’S PAWN. When a character shows up, I listen. Which is why they keep showing up. Thank God.


During the novel, King Henry tells Alais a couple times that she has changed. What change did he see in her and did she realize what it was?
Henry saw her strength beginning to be born. He saw her ruthlessness, and her ability to be a political player at a time when most women sat on the sidelines and did nothing. For Alais to emerge from the convent and strike out on her own, even with some training from Eleanor, made Alais an extraordinary woman.


Eleanor has a very different opinion about religion compared to Alais. What caused this strong opinion and was this a trait Eleanor had in real life?
We do not know for certain what Eleanor of Aquitaine really thought about anything, because if she wrote anything down, nothing of that survived. I took the liberty of making her position on religion the polar opposite of Alais’. I did not do this on my own, though. The character of Eleanor as I conceived her was very clear on the fact that she felt that religion was to control the masses, not for those in power.


While doing research for The Queen's Pawn, did you come across anything special or exciting that really made your day?
Knowing that Eleanor of Aquitaine within her lifetime endowed many monasteries and abbeys. When I found that bit of knowledge, I did not think, “Oh, what a pious lady.” I thought, “Oh, what a fabulous spy network.” That may say more about me than the historical Eleanor.


Is there any advise you can give for aspiring authors?
Keep writing. Stay in the chair until you find your voice. Because no one else can tell your story. You are the only one. Stick with the work, even in the dark times, even when it is hard, no matter what anyone else says, until you are able to tell the story you are given.

Svea, thank you so much for hosting me on your site and for reading my book. These questions are wonderful. I have really enjoyed my time with you.

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If you would like to learn more about Christy and her works, you can visit her website: christyenglish.com

Also, for a chacnce to win this exciting novel, you can enter in my current giveaway here: The Queen's Pawn giveaway!

Book Review: The Queen's Pawn by Christy English

Synopsis: (From the Publisher)

"A historical novel of the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine and the one person she loved more than power-her rival for the throne. 

At only nine, Princess Alais of France is sent to live in England until she is of age to wed Prince Richard, son of King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alais is an innocent pawn on the chessboard of dynastic marriage, her betrothal intended to broker an uneasy truce between the nations.

Estranged from her husband, Eleanor sees a kindred spirit in this determined young girl. She embraces Alais as a daughter, teaching the princess what it takes to be a woman of power in a world of men. But as Alais grows to maturity and develops ambitions of her own, Eleanor begins to see her as a threat-and their love for each other becomes overshadowed by their bitter rivalry, dark betrayals, conflicting passions, and a battle for revenge over the throne of England itself."

My Review:

Leaving her beloved country of France behind, Princess Alais sets out for England prepared to fulfill her duty by marrying Prince Richard. Wary and guarded, Alais arrives at the court of her fathers enemy. Having thought England would be a cold and friendless place, she is taken by surprise when she is welcomed as a daughter by England's queen and fathers former wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. A close bond forms between the two, and with Eleanor's direction, Alais blooms into a young lady of courage and strength. When Alais meets her betrothed, a tender and blissful love ensues. So in love and ignorantly happy, nothing could possibly tear her world asunder...

Alas, as time goes on, Alais soon realizes everything is not as it seems. With bitter betrayals, harsh retaliations and struggles for power and love, Alais soon realizes she is but a pawn in the life she leads. Ignoring all consequences, Alais sets out on a path that will give her the power she needs to control her own destiny...


The Queen's Pawn is an exciting and emotional journey that takes you through the intriguing courts of medieval England. Told from the alternating perspectives of Eleanor and Alais, the reader is given an intense understanding of their feelings and the knowledge of what really motivates these two women to such dramatic actions. From the beginning, I knew that I would completely enjoy this reading experience. I was entranced by the authors ability to change the readers sympathies whenever the same scene was told from both their perspectives. The only issue I had with this novel was that after such a brilliant beginning and intense plot build up, the last 1/4 of the book seemed to be a bit rushed which deflated some of the plots build up. Overall this was a great read and a stunning debut. With The Queen's Pawn, Christy English has definitely shown her talent for writing historical fiction, and I am absolutely looking forward to reading her next novel!

A Little Extra:

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a great interview with the author, Christy English!

Are you intrigued by The Queen's Pawn? Great news! I have a brand new copy available for one lucky winner...enter in this exciting giveaway here: The Queen's Pawn Giveaway.