#10, 7, 2, 9 ... 3!

Mistress of the Sun is in its fifth week on Macleans' best-selling fiction in Canada list. Last week it fell from the glorious #2 spot to #9 and I thought: "Game over, she will be off the island soon." But no, instead, Mistress shot back up into the rarified air of the upper levels: now at #3. Sing ye!

Tour details

I've posted the details of my Calgary, Vancouver, Killaloe and U.S. tour events to my website: here. I'll be going to many places I've never seen, returning to places where I used to live, meeting old and new friends. I'm excited.

On cleavage and raunchy book readings

Why is it the subject keeps turning to cleavage? In the article "Reveal or Conceal" in the Ottawa Citizen, I'm quoted as saying, "Although the necklines were low, the profile was supposed to be squashed." (Did I really say squashed?)

Here are two other articles that only add fuel to the fire:

"10 fashion tips from the Court of the Sun King" — Click the link at the bottom to reveal tips considered too risqué to list on this site.

"Almost raunchy book reading" — I love this National Post reporter's account of the Gladstone Hotel launch in Toronto. It was standing-room only in spite of a snow storm — a great crowd, with many family and friends (including members of the first writing workshop I took, about twenty-five — yes twenty-five — years ago). After, in the bar, daughter Carrie and friends had fun trying on the wig. A wonderful night.

Reviews

I've been more than pleased with the reviews of Mistress of the Sun — especially those from readers. I've set up pages on my website to show what they have to say about both Josephine B. and Mistress of the Sun. As well, two well-known historical authors have generously given glowing quotes:

"Suspenseful, evocative, atmospheric, and deliciously satisfying reading, with an immensely appealing heroine."
—Margaret George, author of The Other Boleyn Girl and many other best-selling historical novels

"Sandra Gulland has captured the tenor of the time with an engrossing, evocative account of one woman's rise from obscure attendant to royal mistress at the court of Louis XIV. I fell in love with Petite from the moment she tamed her wild, white horse, and I galloped along with her through her undying devotion to one of France's most colorful kings."
—Anne Easter Smith, author of Daughter of York and A Rose for the Crown

More to come

Many thanks for all the buzz! Feel free to pass this newsletter on. (For those who aren't on the mailing list, sign up here.) I know this is a tease, but I'm on the verge of being able to announce some very exciting news.

Cheers to one and all,

Sandra

P.S. Click to see: my last newsletter, my website, my Facebook page, MySpace and my blog.