Give us a summary of The Black Madonna in a tweet. (140 characters or less.)
As the 13th century dawns, the Christian world is in a spiritual new controversy. In Rome, Pope Innocent the 3rd demands that the Cathars be crushed. Esclarmonde, a noble woman, will defy the most powerful pontiff in history and escape the slaughter of her people and take with her an artifact that could change the course of Christianity.
Tell us about The Black Madonna's cover design and how the book came to be titled?
The art on the cover of The Black Madonna was done by Jack the incredible designer at Black Opal.
Many believe that Mary Magdalene was from Nigeria and came to France after the death of Jesus. The churches in France are named for her.
The first thing a reader may notice about your novel is its similarity with Dan Brown's, The Da Vinci Code. Both stories have a female character searching for treasure and answers that pertain to the bloodline of their ancestors. Did The Da Vinci Code inspire you to write The Black Madonna, or did you choose to write about the Cathars and their struggle for other reasons?
I admire Dan Brown and have read all of his books, but The Black Madonna came from my research on the Cathars and Pope Innocent the third’s mandate that all heretics be killed. These people were Christian. Bishops with Teutonic Knights invaded cities and wiped out thousands of people on his orders. One line I truly appreciated was when a knight came up to Bishop Almeric and asked, “Which people they should kill?” He couldn’t tell the difference. Bishop Almeric said, “Kill them all, God will know his own.”
There is an enormous amount of historical information in The Black Madonna that must have taken a great deal of time to research. Where do you obtain your information and how did you fact-check it? Consulting with experts? First-hand experience, etc.?
You are right. There was about two years of research done on this book. I bought books, went to the library and consulted with a knowledgeable expert, Ellen Frabichio. Every Sunday I would go to a different church and speak with the pastors, ministers, and priests and was on the internet looking up dates, etc.
Your book uses real settings from around the world. Do you take liberties with the settings or are you true to the geography? Have you visited any of the settings, and which ones?
I did use real settings and the only two I have visited were in Monterey, California (actually I live there part time), and Scotland. The rest I located on the internet; looked up places, train schedules, airline schedules, tour schedules, and bought books on the architecture, designs, history of the church, and historical landmarks in France, Scotland, and Yale University. I did make up part of the layout of Monterey State.
If you could travel anywhere in the world to do research for your next book, all-expenses-paid, where would that be and why?
There are two books I would like to have an all-expense paid trip. 1. France again, because I would like to continue with Luci and her adventures in the Languedoc, and South America where I have twin archeologists looking for a city of gold.
With more books being released each month now than ever before what do you believe sets your work apart from others?
In one of my posting on my blog someone wrote, “Finally a female lead who has weaknesses but works through them to attain truth for the greater good.” I think that puts it pretty well. Luci has panic attacks, sometimes they cripple you to a point where you can’t breathe or feel like someone is sitting on your chest. She is afraid, at times she would just like to give up, but she keeps trying. I think that’s what sets me apart from other writer’s in this genre. Their leads are mostly male, like Indiana Jones, or Angels and Demons. Yes, one doesn’t like snakes, one is a professor, but they are driven. Luci is being pushed through each discovery.
What is the most memorable thing that's happened to you while promoting your work?
It is way too bizarre, but someone said my book is a manifesto for murder. The police came to my door while I was writing my mother’s eulogy. It was something I will never forget, I would have been angry if I wasn’t so shocked. People I have found can say anything or accuse you of anything. Way too bizarre.
What kind of books did you read us a child? Which genre influenced your decision to become an author?
I read for the most part as a young child non -fiction books about heroines and as I got older, mystery books by Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew, Trixie, and The Hardy Boys.
Is the protagonist, Luci, and the other characters, Max, Esclarmonde, Sarah, Janet, and Father del Pierro based on people you know? Are any of the situations in which your characters find themselves based on real events?
Luci is a little like me, some things that have happened to her, happened to me. Max, Sarah, Janet, are just a compilation of people with different characteristics that I have put together, and Father del Pierro is a person who really is the personification of “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Describe your writing process?
First I read everything I can get my hands on, on my subject. I sit down at the computer and just write, write, and write. I want all my ideas out. Then I photocopy it all, hand edit. I may switch up chapters after I have laid out all the chapters on the floor to see how the flow is. I can’t tell you how many times I switch the prologue back and forth from the first chapter.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of writing? Do these activities find their way into your books?
I ride horses, compete. Three of my horses are in my book and if you look at my website in The Black Madonna, Luci rides through the mountains of the Del Monte Forest on Zane Grey, the picture is of Zane Grey. His barn name is Jeremy; my others are Max and Chili. So you’ll find them in the book. Also, my dogs, Louie and Sophie. I also work at a college but there is nothing in the book pertains to working at the college.
What is the best advice you've received as an author?
Never give up. Failure only comes from not trying.
What's next for you? Will there be a sequel to The Black Madonna?
I like Luci so she is coming back. Sarah will be back and they will be in France and in Spain. I would really like that all-expense paid ticket about now so I can do on site investigation of a particular church where Mary Magdalen is supposed to be buried.
Which author will you be interviewing for The Author Chain, and what is the title of his or her book?
Archimedes Claw by Theodore M. Homa
Where can we buy The Black Madonna?
Black Opal, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. I listed them all of them on my website for people who are interested.
Linda Lee Kane, M.ed, is a author, school psychologist, PPS, Learning Disability Specialist, and English Instructor. She is a member of the SCBWI and the International Thriller Writers and has studied her craft at the Gotham Writing School in New York City. She also belongs to a Monday Night Writing Group, facilitated by Bonnie Hearn Hill. She is married, has two sons, two daughter-in laws, and two beautiful grandsons, all who have supported her and given far more than they take.
Author's website: http://lindaleekane.com/
Links to purchase The Black Madonna:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
KOBO
All Romance E-books
Black Opal Books
Scribd
