Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Storyspinner Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/2015/02/tour-schedule-storyspinner-by-becky.html

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!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

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.


• • • • • • • • • • • 

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:


• • • • • • • • • • • •

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- IceyBooksInterview  
2/24/2015- I Heart YA FictionReview  
2/25/2015- Effortlessly ReadingGuest Post  
2/26/2015- Fiction FareReview  
2/27/2015- BookishInterview    
WEEK TWO
3/2/2015- Mundie MomsReview
3/3/2015- Owl Always Be ReadingReview
3/4/2015- Supernatural SnarkInterview
3/5/2015- Once Upon A TwilightReview
3/6/2015- Two Chicks on BooksGuest Post

34 comments:

  1. Wonderful interview! I'm actually pretty excited to read this.

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  2. I would have no talents, ohh or maybe I'd try at fortune telling :=)

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    1. I could ride a horse? I feel like given that's a general mode of transportation in this world people wouldn't be nearly as impressed ;-)

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  3. It's awesome how the characters are so real to the author, she has guilt when it comes to confronting them about what she made them go through!

    Love the unconventional setting for a fantasy!

    Lovely interview :)

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    1. She's pretty brutal to Johanna in the end of this one Christina, I don't blame her for being a little nervous ;-)

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  4. Fantastic interview Jenny and Becky!!
    I have this one in my wish list and I hope I'll get my hands on it soon! Even if a world full of toothy reptiles doesn't sound like my kinda place, unless they're dragons, because dragons make everything better!

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    1. Dragons DO make everything better. More dragons, please!

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  5. Awesome interview! I have been reading some great reviews for this book and I love fantasy novels, so I can't wait to get my copy of this one. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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    1. I hope you like it Christina! I can't wait to pick up book 2:)

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  6. Great interview. This sounds like a really cool book. Adding it to my wish list.

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    1. Yay! I'm on a bit of a fantasy kick lately:)

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  7. Lovely interview, Jenny. I loved this book so much and had so much fun reading it although the author slayed my feels multiple time.

    "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! "

    I DON'T FORGIVE HER FOR THIS, JENNY!!! My heart still tears into millions of pieces when I think about it.

    I'm excited about the next book and I can't wait to read it!

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    1. *sobs* Let's not speak of what happened Nick. If we don't talk about it, we can pretend it didn't actually take place:)

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  8. Loved the interview, Jenny! And I'm super excited for this book. :)

    I used to love dancing back was when I was around 6-8. ;) I joined the school dance club for three years. At the moment, I still do enjoy dancing, but I don't really make an effort to practice anymore. Maybe I could in the future, though. :D

    A character death! Oh dear, I'm intrigued and definitely scared.

    That winky face in Becky's last response... GIVE ME THIS BOOK NOW, OKAY?! XD

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    1. I do NOT handle character deaths well Aimee, and this one was no different. Chocolate was necessary to help get me through ;-)

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  9. I have always secretly wanted to do ballroom dancing! I don't even know why other than they always look so beautiful doing it and I have no grace whatsoever. ;)
    Thanks for the interview and giveaway Jenny!

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    1. I wish I could dance Ali, but like you, I lack in the grace department. Dammit.

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  10. Wonderful interview! The Storyspinner is on my want list and I'm feeling grabby hands whenever I see it. Lol. Such great questions and the last one gives me hope (Nick is making me nervous ;)
    Thanks, Jenny!

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    1. I will say what happens toward the end will leave an emotional scar for sure, but there's as lot of humor in this book as well:)

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  11. This is an incredible interview Jenny, I especially love Becky's answer to the world building question! I have heard great things about this book, but my poor heart is terrified about the things which will come Johanna's way :(

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    1. It's not all doom and gloom Jasprit, I promise! There are lots of light moments, and her relationship with Rafi made me smile all the way through given they greatly dislike one another for most of the book:)

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  12. This sounds excellent! I love fantasy but wow, it can be intense! I think I'll have to read this one though, that interview sold me!

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    1. I thought this one was great Candace! I would have loved a bit more of a conclusion - it definitely just sort of stops mid action, but overall it was a winner for me:)

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  13. I loved this book, and I'm so looking forward to book 2! Glad to hear it sounds like Johanna will have an easier time than in this one. :-) Lovely interview!

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    1. Right? The ending was a bit of a doozy! Poor Johanna:(

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  14. This is a book that I am most curious about and it is getting great reviews. I really need to pick it up even if it has a bunch of toothy reptiles, yuck!

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  15. Hm... I don't know. This sounds like I'm going to cry! If I do I'm blaming Jenny and the author for providing this post. :) Tissue please!

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    1. You might. But you'll also laugh and root for Johanna and Rafi and Pira and Leao, so there's that too:)

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  16. Oh wow, this was new to me, but the interview has me curious. I may need chocolate though.

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  17. Oh yes. Chocolate is definitely required for this one. In fact, I need some now just thinking about it:)

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  18. Ooh your interview is making me want to read this even more now! The part about character death sounds exciting! ~ Danielle D.

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  19. I always love your interview questions, Jenny! The last one is especially exciting! I hope we get lots of Jo and Rafi working together in book 2. Poor girl suffers a lot in the first one but she just keeps going. I love all of these characters and I'm dying for more story. When book 1 ended, I was like NOOOOOO!!! Where is the rest????!!! :)

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