Introducing Ellen Read
Where did the idea for the story come from?
My first idea came from the question, if a woman loved two men and had to choose between them in a life or death situation where she could only save one of them, who would you choose?
Then we went on holiday to Singapore, and I knew I had my location.
Give a quote from the books, one that says little but speaks volumes.
‘I thought perhaps you wanted more.’ When Oliver turned away, Minnie pulled on his arm and drew him back to face her. ‘What if I want more?’
Oliver tucked a curl behind her ear. ‘Do you?’ he asked, his voice barely audible.
Give a short summary of what the book is about.
One woman. Two men. She loves them both but can’t choose between them. One she idolises. One awakes her passion. Then another man’s evil tears their world apart.
Singapore. Grand mansions. Extravagant lifestyles. Steamy tropical weather. Riots and tiger attacks.
The story follows the lives of Minerva Edmondson and Oliver Barrett from 1845 to 1854.
The grow up together. Then in 1854, the worst riots Singapore has known rage throughout the settlement. Oliver joins his grandfather, Joss Edmondson, and many other men, to quell the rioting. Oliver suspects his father is in league with one of the Chinese secret societies and responsible for stirring up the rioters. Minerva, frustrated that she can’t fight—she’s as good if not a better shot than the men— has to remain at the Edmondson nutmeg plantation.
By the end of ten days of rioting, Minnie has to fight to protect her family and her life.
What genre is it?
The genre is historical romance, action, adventure.
How many pages is it?
372 pages
Why do you think the readers will want to read it?
The Tiger’s Mark has an exotic location, strong and diverse characters. It merges multiple genres such as historical fiction, romance, adventure and action.
If readers like Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, I think they’ll like The Tiger’s Mark.
Where are you located?
I am in Queensland Australia, which is a tropical / subtropical climate. I lived in the tropics at the time of writing the book.
Description
Two men, one woman. She loves them both but can’t choose between them. One she idolises. One awakes her passion. Then another man’s evil tears their world apart.
Singapore. Grand mansions. Extravagant lifestyles. Steamy tropical weather. Riots and tiger attacks.
Minerva Edmondson has had the tiger’s mark on her from birth. Her pregnant mother died after being attacked by a tiger. Then at the age of twelve, when a tiger attacks Minerva, leaving its mark on her, her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that has a far-reaching effect on her life.
After a difficult childhood protecting his mother and siblings from his brutal father, Oliver Barrett takes his family to live at Rumah Kebun, the Edmondson’s plantation house.
Oliver is Minnie’s best friend. He loves Minnie and when she’s eighteen years old, awakens her passion. Minerva is torn between Oliver and Julian Sutcliffe who she’s idolised since she was twelve, but she can’t choose.
Then in 1854, the worst riots Singapore has known rage throughout the settlement. Oliver joins his grandfather, Joss Edmondson, and many other men, to quell the rioting. Oliver suspects his father is in league with one of the Chinese secret societies and responsible for stirring up the rioters. Minerva, frustrated that she can’t fight—she’s as good if not a better shot than the men— has to remain at the Edmondson nutmeg plantation.
By the end of ten days of rioting, Minnie has to fight to protect her family and her life.
Excerpt
‘Damn and blast this heat,’ her grandfather bellowed, his voice like the sound of the cannon on top of Government Hill as it boomed out over the sleepy Settlement at various intervals each day. He strode across the red Malacca tiles from one side of the wide terrace to the other. ‘It’s only the beginning of May and already there’s been one Malay running amok. He stabbed a jemadar.’ Datuk stopped his pacing. ‘It’s the Angin Jehat. This damn blasted evil wind. The humidity is enough to make anyone run amok. When will the rains come?’
‘It won’t be long now, Datuk,’ Minnie assured her grandfather.
From his lofty height, Datuk fastened his gaze on his granddaughter. Most people wilted under his stare, his fiery eyes penetrating and fierce—everyone except his granddaughter and his wife. Minnie always thought that Datuk looked like Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel of God as he created Adam, his finger pointing from his outreached arm, his white hair blowing in some primordial wind, his gaze filled with wrath. Minnie knew the image from one of her father’s books on art. Datuk even had the thick white hair, and at seventy-two he stood tall and broad—a commanding figure.
‘What are you doing with that musket?’ Datuk asked, in strident tones.
‘We’re going hunting,’ Minnie said, not daunted by her grandfather’s stare.
‘There won’t be any hunting. A tiger is on the prowl.’
Karen J. Mossman - World of Stories 