The Gladiator Prince with Minnette Meador

Please join me in welcoming author Minnette Meador to my blog! Minnette is giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one random commenter along her tour, so make sure to leave a comment at the end of the post! 

1.     The Gladiator Prince is the third installment in your Centurion series. Without giving too much away, can you tell us a little bit about it?

Prince Thane of the Trinovantes tribe is the last surviving Celtic royal after the Romans wipe out his tribe. He surrenders to the Romans to save his two young daughters so they can escape. Thane is sentenced to fight in the arena until he dies. Years later, news reaches him that his daughters have been taken in a slavers raid and shipped to Rome. Phaedra has been called back to Britannia by her father after her husband dies. There she is guardian of a secret that could destroy her brother if her father finds out. When discovery become inevitable, she forces the Gladiator Prince to take them to Rome. That journey and its finale will change the face of Rome forever. 

2.     How did this series come about? What was the inspiration behind the story?

The Centurion & The Queen is about the Boudicca revolts, the only large uprising by the British Celts against the Roman led by the Warrior Queen Boudicca. It is an amazing story from both sides and a perfect backdrop for a romance between a Centurion and a Celtic Queen.

3.     I take my hat off to all authors who write historical romance, it’s hard! What is your research process like? How long do you research before you start writing?

I actually research while I’m writing and to the story. That is, I research what I need to keep the story moving forward. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days, depending on how deep I need to go. I have many books on the time period and I’ve read all of them, so I have a pretty good background now, so research is easier since I know where to find the answers. It took me longer to research Rome for Gladiator Prince because I hadn’t been there before in my books.


4.     Tell us about the characters. Who is your favorite/least favorite and why?

There are five main characters in this book; Thane, the honorable Celtic warrior; Phaedra the spoiled Syrian daughter of the Gladiatorial Lanista; her brother Bahar, a 15-year-old ball of fire who learns quickly and is Thane’s top student; Adrastos the old Greek medico who guides them through Britannia; and Hasani, the pirate, smart, witty, irreverent, and a thorn in Thane’s side. I developed an especially strong affinity for Hasani, so much so, that he became a much larger part of this story and will be the star of my next book in the series (tentatively titled: Hasani the Ghost). Abella is the antagonist in the story and is my least favorite character in the book. He’s a real SOB! :o)

5.     What was the most difficult part of the book for you to write? Likewise, what was the easiest?

 For some reason, the more difficult the writing, the better it usually turns out. Not sure why, but it is usually the case. I think that’s because you really have to think about how to resolve the issues. To be honest, if I tell you the hardest part, I’d spoil the story… so I’ll pass. :o)

6.     Do you picture a certain actor/actress when you see your hero/heroine in your mind? Who would you want to play them if your book was made into a movie?

I haven’t really had time to think that through yet, but it would be fun to see if anyone would have suggestions. I sometimes think of Sean Bean as Thane; he just has that amazing Celtic look to him. Plus, he’s pretty sexy. For Phaedar, Milla Kunis comes to mind as far as a look, but not sure about her voice and Phaedra is only 20 so the actress would have to be pretty young. Hasani the pirate is Oded Fehr all the way… oh, baby! I’ll let the readers come up with some others. :o)

7. If you were stranded on and island and forced to choose a character to keep you company, who would you choose, and why?

Can I have two? Thane and Hasani would be my choices… Not sure which one in the end… :o)

8.     Do you have any writing quirks?

 I have repeated phrases I use in all my books. Not sure why, but I like to use them at least once in each book. You’ll have to read them to see which ones they are. I beat my editor knows… but she’s not telling.

9.     Favorite snack?

 Fruit (used to be chocolate ~sigh~)

10. Favorite movie?

 Constantine

11. Favorite author? 

Too many to name, but probably a tie between Rex Stout, Spider Robinson, Terry Pratchett, Mary Stewart, and JRR Tolkien… Now, that’s what I call variety! 

12. Favorite quote?

After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her.
Mark Twain - Adam's Diary 

13. If your house was on fire, and you could only grab three things before running out, what would they be?

My husband, my dog, and my computer… not necessarily in that order…

14. Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? 

Chocolate covered ants.

 Blurb:

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans after the Boudicca Revolt to save his two daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. When his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes, forcing the daughter of his master to take him to Rome to save his children. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all? Book III of the Centurion Series.


About the author:

Somewhere between thirty and dust...red hair, blue eyes...six kids, one slightly used husband, and any number of pets from time to time... wanttabe hippy... wanttheirmoney yuppie...pro musician and actress for 20 Years... native Oregonian... lover of music, beauty, and all things green. Willing slave to the venerable muse. Minnette currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, having replaced the children with one dog. The dog, Pierre, pretty much runs the show.

Links:

http://www.minnettemeador.com

http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com