Special Guest Interview with Susan Appleyard, Author of Escape of the Grand Duchess

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

 Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna is the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived. Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But before she can claim her own happiness, she must first endure the brutal realities of World War I, where she serves as a nurse on the frontlines.

I'm pleased to welcome author Susan Appleyard to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

Escape of the Grand Duchess relates the struggles of Olga, the younger sister of Tsar Nicholas II, from an opulent lifestyle to her unhappy marriage, World War I, the Russian Revolution when the murderous Bolsheviks began rounding up Romanovs for slaughter. Some were able to escape to the continent. Olga was one of the lucky ones. She and her young family eventually made their escape to safety in Canada.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I used to devote my mornings to writing, but now I’m not so disciplined. Honestly, I write when I feel like it.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

J.M.W Turner, famous English painter, said something to the effect that he imagines mountains and paints molehills. Your book will never be perfect. You could tinker with it to the end of time. Know when enough is enough. Just make it as perfect as you can.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I have done Bookbub ads and promotions on Facebook. Otherwise, my readership is organic.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research 

Ether was first used as an anaesthetic in 1842, but before that the Babylonians, Persians, Chinese, Egyptians and others attempted to create a general anaesthetic.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The last scene. How to end it? Where to end it?

What are you planning to write next?

I am currently working on the second draft of a book about Olga’s grandparents.

 

Susan Appleyard

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About the Author

Susan Appleyard was born in England, which is where she learned to love English history, and now lives in Canada in the summer. In winter she and her husband flee the cold for their second home in Mexico. Susan divides her time between writing and her hobby, oil painting, although writing will always be her first love. She was fortunate in having had two books published traditionally. Since joining the ebook crowd, she has published nine books, some of which have won various awards. Find out more at Susan's website, follow her blog and find her on Facebook and Instagram