RHAPSODY: Six Questions for Mitchell James Kaplan [INTERVIEW]

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Mitchell James Kaplan brings George Gershwin and the jazz age to dazzling life in Rhapsody. (Photo courtesy Canva)

Few musicians left as indelible a mark on the great American songbook as George Gershwin. But it was his epic masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, that made him an icon. From the first moment audiences heard the score’s opening wail, it was clear there were few musicians as adventurous or brilliant as Gershwin. Yet as with every artist, there is much more to his story than just his music. Now novelist Mitchell James Kaplan pulls back the curtain on the famed pianist’s fabled career in the forthcoming novel, Rhapsody, a book that is both vividly written and utterly compelling, and truly worthy of becoming our first Diamond Reviewed title for 2021. It shines a light not only on Gershwin’s discography, but also on his decade-long romance with another pianist, Kay Swift. We loved the book so much we couldn’t wait to sit down with Mitchell James Kaplan for this exclusive interview. Enjoy! —J&H

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THE CANTERBURY MURDERS: 7 Questions for E.M. Powell [INTERVIEW]

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Timeless Canterbury has seen everything… even murder. (Photo courtesy Canva)

Sherlock and Watson. Poirot and Hastings. Dean and Sam. The list goes on and on. When you stop to think about it, we love sleuthing duos! So when E.M. Powell’s medieval detectives, Stanton and Barling, appeared on the scene in 2018, it is no wonder they quickly became reader favorites. They are the epitome of an unlikely pairing, and yet they are absolutely perfect for one another. It’s the reason we get all excited every time we find out there’s a new book coming out in this beloved series. Now we’re thrilled to tell you the third book in their story, The Canterbury Murders, is now available. To tell us more about it, we invited E.M. Powell herself to come by and dish on their latest adventure. We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview! —J&H

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THE LAST KING: Seven Questions for M.J. Porter [INTERVIEW]

Viking sword and armor
They may have been violent, but M.J. Porter shows that the Vikings weren’t what you may expect. (Photo courtesy Canva)

I love a great historical novel, particularly if it is equally immersive and winds up teaching me something new. M.J. Porter’s The Last King does just that. It transports us back to a part of early English history you may not be that familiar with, when Viking violence spread throughout the land. And while reading this story fueled my imagination, it also brought up some burning questions. We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview with the author. —J&H

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A KNIGHT AND A SPY 1410: Nine Questions for Simon Fairfax [INTERVIEW]

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Simon Fairfax embellishes history in A Knight and a Spy 1410. (Photo courtesy Canva)

Intrepid spies, valiant knights, and the fair maidens who win their hearts. There are good reasons we romanticize the Medieval period and are captivated by its pageantry. Somehow, even now, the legends of iconic royals tease our imaginations and lure us back to their own era, centuries before any of us ever walked the Earth. It takes a deft writer to capture these stories on paper, to resurrect faded characters and bring old world history to vivid life. Yet that is exactly what author Simon Fairfax has done with his new series and its debut novel, A Knight and a Spy 1410. That’s why we were delighted to catch up with Simon and learn some of the stories behind the story in this insightful interview. Enjoy! —J&H

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Justin Newland Rewrites History in ‘The Coronation’ [BOOK BLAST]

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Did an eagle change the course of history? (Photo courtesy Canva)

There are some authors who deposit their characters in the midst of history, showing how their lives parallel historic events. Then there are authors like Justin Newland who bend history to their will and use fantastic elements to show us what could have been. If you enjoy the latter, you won’t want to miss The Coronation, a tale about war, fortune, and family honor. Enjoy!—J&H

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