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A Very Dark Place Inside
The Bishop’s Palace follows a woman journalist in the 1890s who investigates a mysterious story surrounding the Bishop’s Palace and missing children. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this book comes from my home in Galveston. There is a very interesting place on Broadway that was given to the Catholic church. The Gothic stone building has a commanding presence you cannot ignore. At night it draws you to stop and wonder at its magnificence when built over a six-year time period between 1886-1892. A Bishop did reside there at one time, and it is open for the public to view. It is a very dark place inside and left me with an uncomfortable feeling when touring. I discovered even though something can be beautiful, it can also be disturbing and possibly hold a secret. What a wonderful setting and plot for my story.
Morlanna is strong, intelligent, and a fighter. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Morlanna, my strong New Woman, for that time period. I built her on the ideas of women such as Marie Curie, and Nellie Bly. She could be friends with Caleb Carr’s character Sara Howard from THE ALIENIST. I looked back through history and discovered many women stepped forward to break the rules of a somewhat stiff society. We are better for their refusal to be ignored or frowned upon because they broke away from the norm of that time.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme of the book is obvious…greed. I mean who wouldn’t want to find a palace full of gold and jewels? I tried to show how greed can blind an individual to the truth standing before them. I wanted my readers to understand even a Holy Man could be persuaded away from his faith for such treasure. Strength and determination are admirable qualities, but it sometimes takes friendship and a group working together to find a solution.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next novel will be published by Black Rose Writing coming out on December 14th. A CHANGE IN DESTINY, DARK CHOICES is a thriller/suspense giving you a wild ride on how love can turn dark.
Author Links: Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram | Website
The Bishop’s Palace
Janet K. Shawgo’s The Bishop’s Palace is a captivating work of paranormal fiction that explores how a local mystery brings an entire town together. Set around a corrupt Bishop who sold his soul for the sake of greed, this gripping story revolves around the Bishop’s Palace and the treasure that lies within. The youth of the town, as well as several from neighboring towns, went in search of this treasure but never returned. The protagonist, Morlanna Miller, is a journalist trying to make a name for herself in the male-dominated world of journalism. Despite facing severe opposition from her boss and colleagues, she investigates the Bishop’s Palace and becomes trapped by the cursed Bishop. As the townspeople become aware of the situation, a sense of discontent grows, but will it be enough to save Morlanna?
Shawgo’s writing style is both strong and inspiring. Morlanna is a fearless character who fills the book with empowering energy. While the protagonist’s initial hostility can be overwhelming, her actions become understandable as the story progresses. The characters are well-developed, with the townspeople and the town itself beautifully reflecting the society of the time and engaging readers.
I appreciated the book’s representation of strong female characters. The book’s primary focus remains on the women of the town and Morlanna, and even the Bishop’s Curse represents the relevance of females. The story is incredibly empowering for female readers, showcasing Morlanna’s sass and courage while avoiding overshadowing her achievements with the male gaze. The Bishop’s Palace presents multiple motifs throughout the story. The city represents the oppression of women, while the country’s life portrays freedom of choice and influential women in society.
The Bishop’s Palace is highly recommended for readers looking for a fresh perspective on female characters in a suspense and thriller novel. While the plot may be clichéd in terms of a superhero bringing society together to destroy evil, the freedom and strength that Morlanna experiences in this story are incredibly fulfilling.
Pages: 148 | ASIN : B0B352THVW
LITERARY TITAN 