Denise Longrie answers your questions

Good Morning Madame, I was wondering why a reader of fantasy, poetry and paranormal gives only three stars to a book such as the Austrian Cavalry of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. What did you not like? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Denise Longrie Good morning. Three stars means "I liked it." (four stars means "I really liked it" and five "It was amazing.") It was meticulously researched, nicely illustrated, and contained endless details. However, it was also quite dull at points, even if it was also entertaining at other points.

I was reading it for research for a historical fiction book. I'm not a student of military history or the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. I found fantastic information that would be difficult to find elsewhere, which was one reason why I was willing to buy such an expensive book.

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Good Morning Madame, I was wondering why a reader of fantasy, poetry and paranormal gives only three stars to a book such as the Austrian Cavalry of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. What did you not like? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Denise Longrie Good morning. Three stars means "I liked it." (four stars means "I really liked it" and five "It was amazing.") It was meticulously researched, nicely illustrated, and contained endless details. However, it was also quite dull at points, even if it was also entertaining at other points.

I was reading it for research for a historical fiction book. I'm not a student of military history or the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. I found fantastic information that would be difficult to find elsewhere, which was one reason why I was willing to buy such an expensive book.

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A comment this time, as I, too, love to stay up late and read. The house is quiet and I read until the wee hours. Usually I'm sorry the next day that I didn't go to bed earlier. Sometimes it is very hard to put down a good book. Are you able to do it?

Denise Longrie Ah, the "Just one more chapter" syndrome. Yes, I know it well.

But sometmes I find myself trying to read through my eyelids. My dearly beloved has found me sound sleep, holding the book in my lap. I'm so disappointed when this happens. The flesh is willing but the spirit has checked out.

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You are a prolific reader. How do you find the time to read so many books? Your reviews are always in depth as well.

Denise Longrie Thanks for the question and thanks especially for the kind words.

Mostly, I enjoy reading. And to think it used to get me in trouble in school.

I watch TV, but I also turn it off. I read before I go to sleep. A kindle makes it easy to let my dearly beloved sleep while I stay up as late as I want (or can). I also try to set aside time during the day to read just 'cuz.

As for in-depth reviews, well, always happy to give my opinion.

Hope you and yours are doing well.

Best wishes,

Denise

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Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?

Denise Longrie Anna slid into what remained of the driver's seat of the abandoned Model T, brushing aside yellowed newspaper bits. The old jalopy hadn't seen the light of day in fifty years, and its hand crank had had had long disappeared with vagaries of history, yet the she felt machine lurch beneath her once—twice before its engine fired to life.

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Denise Longrie Open eyes and pen in hand. What if? Not every idea works, of course.

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How do you get inspired to write?

Denise Longrie Inspiration is a slippery eel. I don't wait for it. I write ideas down and then then expand on them. I set aside a time to write, then write whether I'm "inspired" or not.

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Denise Longrie Write.

Read.

Learn the basics of grammar and style, even if they're boring and suck. First, you won't come across like an idiot, always a good thing. Second, understand and using good grammar helps make sure you're communicating.

Write again.

Read some more.

And then do it all over again.

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Denise Longrie This is actually rather difficult for me to answer as it involves the death of my father under circumstances that are still unclear. I've done some digging recently and have more information than I had, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. I would never fictionalize the account, however. It's too near to my heart.

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