And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is:

Journey to dazzling seventeenth-century Hindustan, where the reigning emperor, consumed with grief over the tragic death of his beloved wife, commissions the building of the Taj Mahal as a testament to the marvel of their love. Princess Jahanara, their courageous daughter, recounts their mesmerizing tale, while sharing her own parallel tale of forbidden love with the celebrated architect of the Taj Mahal. This impressive novel sweeps readers away to a historical Hindustan brimming with action and intrigue in an era when, alongside the brutalities of war and oppression, architecture and the art of love and passion reached a pinnacle of perfection.

Meet John Shors, author of BENEATH A MARBLE SKY

1. Are you married? Kids?

My wife, Allison, and I have been married for almost ten years. We have a five-year-old daughter, Sophie, and a three-year-old boy, Jack. Our children are wonderful, and certainly keep us running around!

~ Author John Shors ~

2. What does your family think about your writing?

Allison is very supportive of my writing. She's been an important part of the process for a long time, and she's a great partner. Our children don't quite understand what I do, though they always demand that I tell them a story at night. One of these days I need to write down all of the stories that I tell them.

3. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I've wanted to be a writer since I was in high school. I grew up reading three or four books a week, and found myself increasingly understanding how books were put together. My passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. I love to write, and it's hard for me to imagine doing anything else.

4. What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies?

Because of the success of BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, these days I don't have any free time. I'm constantly going from event to event, and whatever time I have left over, I devote to my family. We have a great deal of fun together, so time with them is really my hobby these days.

5. You have to admit, women strongly outnumber men when it comes to romance novelists. Do you find it difficult to be a man in a woman's world so to speak? What challenges have you had to deal with? Or do you really think it matters?

Well, in BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, I told the story through the voice of an Indian princess. Sometimes female readers wonder why I didn't take the easier road and have my narrator be a man. In all honesty, that choice was never of interest to me. This story had to be told by a woman. And fortunately, the feedback I get from thousands of female readers is that they find my heroine to be extremely believable. Women really connect with her.

6. BENEATH A MARBLE SKY. What is it about? Where did the idea come from? Did something or someone specific inspire you?

BENEATH A MARBLE SKY is a work of historical fiction, and is based on the remarkable love story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal. I was inspired to write this novel after I traveled to India. I visited the Taj Mahal, and after hearing the story of how it came to be, I just knew that I had to bring this story to the West. I feel blessed to have been able to do so.

7. What can we look forward to from John Shors in the future?

For the next month or so, I'll be editing the screenplay for BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, as Hollywood is making it into a major motion picture. After I'm done with this process, I'll begin work on my next novel. It will be set overseas, and like BENEATH A MARBLE SKY, will be driven by a love story that unfolds amid larger-than-life events. I'm really excited to start working on it.

8. What do you want readers to know about you?

I'd like readers to know how grateful I am for their support. I can't stress this enough. I owe so much to readers, and I appreciate each and every one of them.

You can visit John on the web via http://www.beneathamarblesky.com