Hello @Holly_K! Thank you for your kind words and I hope you and your group enjoy the book.
You’ve asked me a really hard question. I always seem to love best whatever time period I’m currently writing in. It’s got that “new relationship energy” thing going for it. But I seem to also return, again and again, to my old love, the Revolutionary Era. I’ve written five books now (including my forthcoming one) set in the late 1700s and I’m finally feeling comfortable there 
How did you happen to choose ancient Egypt for your first books?? I have not read those yet, but that time period is also fascinating!
I am excited to read that you will be writing about Abigail Adams. She was a fantastic person and very courageous. I know will give her much deserved justice. Thank you.
And while we’re on the subject, how long did it take you to write the Daughter of Cleopatra series? Did you always know her story would take three volumes, or did that become apparent during the writing process?
I see that you collaborated with Laura Kamole on a couple of novels. What was it like to work with another author? How did your partnership come about? Would you consider another collaboration in the future?
The Women of Chateau Lafayette tells the tale of three women: the real-life Adrienne Lafayette and socialist Beatrice Chanler, as well as the fictional Marthe Simone. I haven’t read all your books, but it seems like this is the only one that featured multiple heroines spread across several decades. What led to that decision, and how did the process you used for writing that novel differ from the others you’ve created?
You’ve mentioned elsewhere that you were influenced by your grandparents’ stories – that they were immigrants, and that both your grandfathers served in WWII. What countries did they hail from? Do they show up in your novels?
Regarding seeing Frances from the outside, some in my book club did think she came off as too perfect, almost self-righteous. However, others thought the absolute trust that FDR showed in her demonstrated that outsider POV and spoke for itself. In this story character actions and reactions to her did speak for them. I find it interesting to discover that some readers in the group almost need a male pov character to feel grounded in a story.
I would read more books about women in history. There are not enough known women, and not enough books about them! Too many untold stories! I am currently reading the book Erased by Anna M. Tubbs. It makes me frustrated! Men complain about being made to feel emasculated now with #METOO etc. Welcome to our world! For centuries women have been made to fell less, ignored, forgotten, lied about, and more. It’s time for our history to be written. What are you writing next?
Back when I was still a lawyer and on my honeymoon, I picked up a copy of Margaret George’s memoirs of Cleopatra. It was amazing. And when I reached the end and realized that Cleopatra had a daughter who had become a real queen in the ancient world, I wanted to know more about her, and then she would not stop talking in my head.
I then found a biography by Beatrice Chanler—yes, THAT Beatrice Chanler— and knew that I had to write a novel about the young princess.
I think I always knew it would take three books to tell the whole story. Because I am not Margaret George and they will not let me write several thousand page book. 
I spent almost a decade working on the first book in the series, because it was my debut novel. But after that, the others came out and about four years. But don’t quote me on that, because math is not my strong suit.
Everybody loves Abigail! And with good reason. I’ve had such a wonderful time writing about her. And I think what she has to say is more relevant than ever.
Laura and I have worked together now on three books. And she’s one of my favorite people to work with. We speak the same writerly language. And whenever we do get to work together, the final product is better than what either of us could have done on our own.
I am very pleased to say that we will likely be working on yet another book together in the near future. So stay tuned!
Some really do don’t they? I enjoy a male point of view because, well, they are half of the population. But I don’t need their stamp of approval on any character.
Francis certainly was not perfect. She could be controlling and persnickety about how things should be done. But she was always on the right side of history, and she was almost always right. You rarely find that in a historical person.
As you’re researching and writing the books about women, do their personalities sometimes seep into yours for a brief moment in time? Francis still lingers in my mind and perhaps is a wee bit influential in specific situations I’ve encountered.
Well said!! And thanks for your response.
Three of my grandparents or ethnically Italian. One was Polish. And one grandfather was actually born in Italy, though he thought he was an American citizen all of his life. He didn’t find out otherwise until he was fighting in Patton‘s army during World War II and they had to naturalize him right away. That’s a funny story to tell!
I’d never done it before and I like a challenge. But I will not do it again. It was so hard!
Oh yes. When working on America’s First Daughter I suddenly had a southern accent.