1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE OTHER PRINCESS
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an Egbado Princess, who was “gifted” to Queen Victoria when she was rescued from enslavement by a British Naval Officer
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
As a work of Historical Biographical fiction, the locations, time periods, names, and other historical benchmarks were already in place.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Oh, my. A tough question for parts of her life were unimaginably difficult, still, her tremendous zeal for life is inspirational. I would have enjoyed spending time with her in two places: Brighton and The Lagos Colony in the 1860s.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Brilliant, strong-willed, optimistic
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
So much about West Africa and England during the Victoria Era. Mary Seacole was loved and admired by British soldiers for her work during the Crimean War. They sponsored a huge fundraiser for her in London after the war ended.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I do edit as I go, but try not to. My goal is always to write a sh*tty first draft and get the story down, but I do tend to revise, revise, revise, as I go.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
White wine
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I write everywhere. I have an office, but since I do a lot of writing on my iPad, I write a lot with my thumbs. I also dictate, too.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Wow! Too many because there are so many fabulous authors to read. But lately, I am reading S.A. Cosby, Jennifer Egan, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Chanel Cleeton, Vanessa Riley
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
No, there are three: Mila 18 by Leon Uris, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Several years ago, my agent called and said Esi Sogah, then the editor at Kensington Books wanted to buy Wild Women and the Blues. It debuted in 2021.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I read across the board but lately: Crime novels and upmarket historical fiction
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Can’t do just one: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Godfather, A Raisin in the Sun (with Poitier)
15--What is your favorite season?
Summer. I live in Savannah. So, I’d better like the summer for it is hot here, almost year-round.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Every year
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
The Diplomat on Netflix. One of the most exciting, tense, well-acted well-written dramatic series I’ve seen in years.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Korean. I am bonkers for Ramen.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Travel. Some of my dream locations include Hawaii, the Caribbean, any Island, and I am very anxious to return to the UK and also make a first trip to Madrid, Spain.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
My next novel is Can’t We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe co-written with Eliza Knight — coming March 5, 2024
A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter
A stunning portrait of an African princess raised in Queen Victoria’s court and adapting to life in Victorian England—based on the real-life story of a recently rediscovered historical figure, Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
With a brilliant mind and a fierce will to survive, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a kidnapped African princess, is rescued from enslavement at seven years old and presented to Queen Victoria as a “gift.” To the Queen, the girl is an exotic trophy to be trotted out for the entertainment of the royal court and to showcase Victoria’s magnanimity. Sarah charms most of the people she meets, even those who would cast her aside. Her keen intelligence and her aptitude for languages and musical composition helps Sarah navigate the Victorian era as an outsider given insider privileges.
But embedded in Sarah’s past is her destiny. Haunted by visions of destruction and decapitations, she desperately seeks a place, a home she will never run from, never fear, a refuge from nightmares and memories of death.
From West Africa to Windsor Castle to Sierra Leone, to St. James's Palace, and the Lagos Colony, Sarah juggles the power and pitfalls of a royal upbringing as she battles racism and systematic oppression on her way to living a life worthy of a Yoruba princess.
Based on the real life of Queen Victoria’s Black goddaughter, Sarah Forbes Bonetta’s story is a sweeping saga of an African princess in Victorian England and West Africa, as she searches for a home, family, love, and identity.
Women's Fiction Historical | Multicultural [William Morrow Paperbacks, On Sale: October 3, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780063144125 / eISBN: 9780063144132]
An award-winning author, Denny won the RWA Golden Heart and was a three-time GH finalist, including twice for WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES. She also writes book reviews for NPR Books and entertainment articles for FROLIC Media.
The former professional dancer is a public relations professional who spent over two decades, running her marketing and event management firm. For nearly 10 of those years, however, she wrote and read Buffy/Spike fan fiction. A devoted fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Angel (the TV series), she is also a classic film buff and loves genre TV. Current favorites include A Discovery of Witches; This is Us, The Flash, and Seal Team.
She is represented by Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Women's Fiction Writers Association, and Novelists, Inc., she is a frequent speaker at author events and lives in Northern Virginia.
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