Friday, March 28, 2014

Stolen Songbird Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway


Today I'm absurdly excited to welcome author Danielle L. Jensen to the blog to celebrate the upcoming release of her young adult fantasy novel, Stolen Songbird. I couldn't have loved this book any more if I tried, it simply blew me away with its rich storytelling and characterization, and I need the next book in my hands like I need chocolate on a bad day. Danielle was nice enough to answer a few questions about Stolen Songbird for me, so I hope you all enjoy the interview, but even more so I hope you add this book to your lists!

If Cecile were starring in a musical production or opera about her time in Trollus, what would the titles of her opening and closing numbers be?

She’d open with My Day Went From Bad To Worse and close with Feeling All The Feels.

You wake up one morning and find yourself in the labyrinth surrounding Trollus. What character from any book, movie or TV show would you most want with you to help you navigate your way through?

Ack! Waking up in a dark enclosed space is one of my worst nightmares! Hmmm, surviving the labyrinth requires intelligence more than anything, so I think I’d want to be there with the BBC’s Sherlock Holmes. I’m confident he could find his way out, and if not, meeting my end with Benedict Cumberbatch wouldn’t be the worst way to go. 

We don't know too much about the witch who cursed the trolls by the end of Stolen Songbird, but what we do learn raises some interesting questions. Who is your all-time favorite witch, good or evil, from any piece of fiction?

Right now, my favourite witch is absolutely Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. Have you seen the most recent trailer? The little laugh she does at the end pretty much epitomizes evil. I really enjoy when the bad guy/gal is the protagonist, because I think it’s a mark of great storytelling when you find yourself wanting them to succeed in their diabolical plan. 

Cecile knows Tristan is keeping some big secrets from her, but she holds out hope that in time he'll trust her enough to share them. What's one small thing–a quirk or habit of his–that Tristan would prefer Cecile never know about?

That he can’t sing a note :) Tristan totally has a Type-A personality that drives him to be good at everything he does, but despite his best efforts even his whistling is out of tune. It’s one of the reasons he admires her abilities so much. Not that he’d ever confess to it. 

If you lived in the palace with Cecile and had access to the extensive library, what books would you most wish were on the shelves?

That depends. If I were a human prisoner like Cecile, I’d probably go searching for books that explained the trolls’ mysterious history and origin – a secret book full of answers. But if I were a troll living in the palace, I’d probably be like Tristan and want the shelves to be full of escapist novels, because I’d be endlessly fascinated by what life was like in the outside world.

There is many a story about the trolls that human parents in Cecile’s world use as cautionary tales for their children. If Cecile was able to get a message to her family (without breaking any oath) regarding what the trolls are really like, what would she most want them to know?

That appearances are not always what they seem.

Two of Tristan's closest friends, the twins, are hugely competitive. If they lived in our world, what competitive sport do you think they would most excel at or most like to play?

I think the twins would excel at track and field sports like shotput, javalin, longjump, and hurdles, because they appeal to their strengths. However, Victoria and Vincent are always up for obscure challenges, so I think if you proposed a dance-off, they would not decline. They might even ask you to judge. 

One might describe Stolen Songbird as dark given the lack of natural light in Trollus. What one word might you use to describe book two?

Well, I’m not done writing it yet, but so far it’s an uneasy sort of book. Everyone is very tense, so I think that’s the word I’ll go with. Stolen Songbird is dark, but there are a lot of light-hearted moments. In the sequel, the stakes are higher and the characters are faced with a lot of difficult choices. I’m much crueler to all my characters in the sequel – I don’t think anyone gets by unscathed. Not even the twins…

*Jenny bites off all her nails and heads to the kitchen for chocolate...*

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STOLEN SONGBIRD


For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.



• • • • • • • • • • • •

DANIELLE L. JENSEN 


Danielle was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. At the insistence of the left side of her brain, she graduated in 2003 from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in finance. But the right side of her brain has ever been mutinous; and in 2010, it sent her back to school to complete an entirely impractical English literature degree at Mount Royal University and to pursue publication. Much to her satisfaction, the right side shows no sign of relinquishing its domination.


• • • • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Danielle, I have a signed copy of Stolen Songbird up for grabs today! To enter, please just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US/Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

51 comments:

  1. I love the whole romance-fantasy genre. I'm excited to read this!

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  2. The whole premise for Stolen Songbird has me excited. I love the idea of Cecile being kidnapped but then her whole outlook changes as she learns more about the trolls.

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  3. I love this interview, especially the first Q/A - lol! This book really does sound wonderful.

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  4. The whole plot has me excited! I haven't read many books about trolls :) And then there's the romance. Love me some romance!

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  5. I wants it! Please (please, PUH-leeze) don't let me down, Stolen Songbird *shoves chocolate in mouth with Jenny*

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  6. I absolutely adored this book! And now I'm too damned scared given that she has said she's being mean to all the characters in the sequel!! Noooooo!!
    Great interview, Jenny!!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this with us and for the great giveaway. I love the fantasy genre, so I must check this one out. Plus, the cover is fabulous! Happy Friday, Jenny!

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  8. Great interview!:D And I can't wait to se Angelina in that role too.

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  9. I have not read any books about trolls and this sounds amazing. Trolls are usually potrayed as sidekicks or minimal characters in movies etc so this book really piques my interest!

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  10. Nothing better than a secret book full of information that you need to know/need to escape. Except maybe BC as Holmes helping you out. That's truly a win-win situation all the way around.

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  11. I love YA fantasy! I'm anxious to see how Cecile fares in the world of trolls :)

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  12. I wouldn't mind the BBC Holmes helping me out but I would have to snark back every time I he said I did something stupid. LOL!

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  13. Great interview ladies, I loved your questions Jenny! Sherlock Holmes would be my go-to guy too for getting me out of a pickle. Thanks for the chance!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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  14. Your review yesterday definitely got me excited about this series, but this interview just solidified my decision of buying a copy when the book comes out on Tuesday. I need to meet this Tristan! I'm so curious about him.
    P.S I know I say this every time you conduct an interview on the blog, but you always come up with fantastic questions. Next time, I'm coming to you with ideas for questions if I have to do an interview! ;)
    Great post, Jenny!

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  15. "I’d want to be there with the BBC’s Sherlock Holmes. I’m confident he could find his way out, and if not, meeting my end with Benedict Cumberbatch wouldn’t be the worst way to go."

    Loved this!

    Great interview Jenny!! I so need to read this one.

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  16. I love reading about witch's and curses.

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  17. STOLEN SONGBIRD sounds great! Hah! I wouldn't mind meeting my end with Benedict Cumberbatch either ;)

    Fabulous interview, Jenny!

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  18. I would love to see the words to those songs! Feel the Feels especially, lol!! Great interview Jenny. I hope you found some chocolate!!
    Heather

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  19. Benedict Cumberbatch. Mmmm. I kind of got distracted thinking of wandering around in a dark cave with him. It wouldn't be a hardship at all. I love this set up of an arranged marriage. But I can't even imagine being forced to live underground. I love the library answer I'd read escapist books regardless, but finding secret troll histories would be great. This one wasn't so much on my radar but I keep hearing great things and now I want to read it myself!

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  20. Oh dear, I may be slightly terrified for the next book now!

    This- "I really enjoy when the bad guy/gal is the protagonist, because I think it’s a mark of great storytelling when you find yourself wanting them to succeed in their diabolical plan." YES!

    I adore this book and I'm so terrified for Tristan!

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  21. Trolls !!!! We don't usually have trolls in strories. I'm so excited to read this book !!!!

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  22. Gosh I am so excited to read this one! I can't wait for trolls. I am eager and anxious about that dark maze. I would like Sherlock Holmes with me as well, but I think I want Robert Downing Jr. as Holmes with me. The next book is tense... Yikes!

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  23. (This is Darith L)

    Whoa, never read a fantasy book about trolls before! This sounds pretty good! :D

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  24. This is brilliant interview ladies. I love all the quirky questions you ask Jenny with the book. I haven't read this book myself but I can see from a lot people's reviews that everyone has sincerely enjoyed it. I may read this in time. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  25. I loved reading this story. Cannot wait for it to come out so I can read it again.

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  26. It just sounds so like I would like it

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  27. I've heard so much good about this book... I just want it. I loved Jenny's review and oh... that got me excited about this book... heck... this series! :)

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  28. I love the premise of the story and I think that the plot sounds really interesting. I can't wait to read this book.

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  29. I loved this book and now...I'm on edge waiting for what comes next. If the tension is going to ratchet even high in book two, I may have to have a large supply of chocolate on hand. And I would have to agree with Danielle that Angelina Jolie makes a marvelous Maleficent! Wonderful interview questions, Jenny! :)

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  30. The fact that this book is about trolls and a troll prince!! Like WTF?! I love the idea of the book! Romance and Action, two things I like the most about a book!
    @musicmixxer

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  31. I am extremely excited for this one! Can not wait to get my hands on it! Thank you for sharing and for the chance to win!!
    Love your blog! New follower ♥
    Michelle ~ Book Hangovers Blabs Books

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  32. Definitely the entire premise! Really, it's totally packed with amazingness.

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  33. I've always thought of trolls as little, ugly, gnarled creatures, but I guess this is story blows my image out of the water. As usual your interview questions, Jenny, are fun, unexpected and shed light into the characters. Wonderful interview ladies! :)

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  34. It is the curse that have me interested in this book.

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  35. It looks and sounds awesome. I can't wait to read it. I really like the cover :)
    Thanks
    Lori

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  36. The characters sound interesting

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  37. Black Magic's concept is used to get love. Black Magic's concept for love is a very highly effective concept and carry outcomes soon.

    Black Magic in Australia

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  38. I love the entire "appearances are not what they may seem" idea. This applies to many things and I love this applied to trolls. This book sounds wonderful and very deep.

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  39. I loved the twins! Also, I can't wait to watch Maleficent as the trailer looks amazing.

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  40. this looks and sounds amazing :) I love the original premise! Thanks for sharing!

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  41. JENNY these questions are AMAZING. You really know how to do this and I wish I could see Danielle thinking about the answers :) So firstly I can only imagine how Tristan sounds while singing. We need that to happen, Cecile would use that against him till the end of times. Great interview, girl :)

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  42. Okay...this one is going on my read soon list. I am interested in finding out about the appearances of the Trolls. Great interview and I can't wait to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  43. I haven't read much about trolls. I'm interested in seeing how the author writes them. Also, I find it cool that we're from the same province!

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  44. Yes!! I'm so happy you are hosting a giveaway because I'm madly in love with this book and can'y get my hands on it soon enough :P High fantasy is one of my favorite genres and this one just looks perfect!

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  45. Great interview! Since hearing about this book, I want to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. This is definitely going on my tbr and also hopefully buy it tomorrow

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  47. I have a feeling I'm going to love this story! I would totally choose Sherlock too. "I’m confident he could find his way out, and if not, meeting my end with Benedict Cumberbatch wouldn’t be the worst way to go." YES! :-)

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  48. Just finished reading this book last night, and I have to say, it was simply amazing.

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  49. Just finished reading this book last night, and I have to say, it was simply amazing.

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