The Storyspinner Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

I couldn't be more excited to welcome author Becky Wallace to the blog today as part of the promotional tour for her new young adult fantasy release, The Storyspinner. I absolutely adored this book (my review will go up next week), it gave me a touch of romance, a sliver of magic, and a whole slew of characters who made me fall madly in love with them. I jumped at the chance to ask Becky a few questions about this world and those who inhabit it, so I hope you guys enjoy the interview. Don't forget to check the bottom of the post for a giveaway and the full list of participating blogs!

If you lived in this world and had no choice but to join a Performer’s troupe, what set of skills or hidden talent would you be able to put on display?

Ha! Great question! I would totally be a dancer. I trained for fifteen years as a competitive ballroom dancer. I can’t listen to samba music without busting out in bachacadas. My family totally loves the impromptu dance parties.

There’s always a lot of political maneuvering surrounding a seat of power. If you could transport yourself to any royal court in history to witness firsthand the machinations of those in a bid for power, which court do you think would be most fascinating?

As a Wallace, I have to don my tartan and defer to my Scottish heritage. It would be amazing, and slightly tragic, to have been a part of the uprising against King Edward I. I know Braveheart romanticizes the story, but there had to have been insiders, traitors, and spies, keeping tabs on both Wallace and the English usurper.

If Johanna was given the opportunity to interview you as part of the promotion for The Storyspinner, what’s one question you would be scared or uncomfortable answering about her story if she asked?

Without any spoilers, Johanna suffers a significant loss in the story—just thinking about it makes me cringe! If she asked me why this particular character had to die, I think I’d want to crawl in a hole and never come out again. I’m sorry, Johanna! I don’t blame you for hating me!

One of the highlights of any fantasy novel for me is the world itself. What is your favorite part of building a completely new world? Is there any one aspect of Johanna’s world that surprised you as you were creating it?

Building a world—stop for a second and think about that phrase—is amazing. It can be anything your imagination can conjure. But the truly great worlds are governed by reason.  If the sky is green, there has to be an explanation. If there are giant flesh-eating lizards, you have to create a habitat where those things can logically exist. A reader can only be pushed so far before the fantastical becomes the unbelievable. I like creating the rules my world is governed by, and then forcing myself to stick to them. 

The one aspect of Santarem, the country in which THE STORYSPINNER is set, that surprised me the most were all the nasty creatures. I am not a lover of toothy reptiles of any variety and yet I created a world full of them!! The next book I write is going to be completely nasty creature free. *shakes head* Not really.

If you were to give Johanna a short excerpt from book two with a sneak peek of what’s in store for her as this series progress, how might you describe the look on her face after she's done reading?

If she ever got over hating me for all the awful things I did to her in book 1, I hope she’d forgive me a little bit after she read book 2. Johanna faces incredible odds, but at least in book 2 she doesn’t have to surmount them alone.  ;)

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions Becky!

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THE STORYSPINNER

Drama and danger abound in this fantasy realm where dukes play a game for the throne, magical warriors race to find the missing heir, and romance blossoms where it is least expected.

In a world where dukes plot their way to the throne, a Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.

The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess—the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up—girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna.

With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.

Amazon • B&N • Goodreads

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BECKY WALLACE

In second grade, Becky Wallace had to sit in the corner because she refused to write anything except princess stories and fairy tales (and because she talked too much).

Her time in isolation gave her plenty of opportunities to dream up the fantasy worlds she’s been dabbling with ever since. She was lucky enough to find her own real-life Prince Charming. They have four munchkins and live in happy little town near Houston, Texas.

Where you can find Becky:

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

 Up for grabs today are 5 personalized copies of The Storyspinner! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to US/Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
WEEK ONE
2/23/2015- IceyBooks- Interview  
2/24/2015- I Heart YA Fiction- Review  
2/25/2015- Effortlessly Reading- Guest Post  
2/26/2015- Fiction Fare- Review  
2/27/2015- Bookish- Interview    

WEEK TWO
3/2/2015- Mundie Moms- Review

3/3/2015- Owl Always Be Reading- Review

3/4/2015- Supernatural Snark- Interview

3/5/2015- Once Upon A Twilight- Review

3/6/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post