The Skylighter Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway!

Today I'm thrilled to welcome author Becky Wallace back to the blog as part of the promotional tour for The Skylighter, the follow up to last year's The Storyspinner. The Storyspinner was one of my favorite reads of 2015, and I can't recommend it highly enough if you haven't had a chance to read it yet. 

I had the opportunity to suggest a topic for Becky to address, and I thought it would be fun given how politically-focused our country is at the moment to ask Becky about the power game and politics of Johanna's fantasy world. I hope you guys enjoy!

If you were long lost royalty as Johanna is and suddenly found yourself in the middle of a power play for the throne, what are the top 5 concerns you would have about claiming your birthright?

If I was actually in Johanna’s position, I’d totally run and hide. Maybe take a little cash with me so that it could be a comfortable hiding place instead of a shack in a forgotten swamp. I’m still a princess at heart, yo.

If I was able to muscle past my flight instinct, here are the things I’d worry about:

WHO WANTS TO KILL ME?

Let’s be honest, y’all. Poisoned food, sneak attacks, assassins, and literal backstabbers are a real concern for folks who want to claim their rightful thrones. Unless you plan to surround yourself with heavily-muscled guards bristling with weapons—which might not be that bad—or sequester yourself to windowless rooms, then claiming a throne isn’t exactly the safest life goal. But if you feel, like, morally obligated to improve the lives of thousands of people, then go for it. Good for you, I guess.

Who can I really trust? Like really? 

See, here’s the problem with people: just about anybody can be bought for the right price. Sometimes that price is a bag full of gold and sparkly jewels, sometimes it’s the promise of power in a new government, and sometimes (gasp!) people make really crappy decisions because they’re really crappy people. The problem for soon-to-be rulers is knowing who those people are and surrounding yourself with the other kind—the stalwart, chivalrous, good kind. And sadly, the good ones are hard to find. Heh.
   

I have no idea how to run a kingdom. Why am I trying to run a kingdom? Whose idea was it that I should run a kingdom? Can we kill that person? DON’T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN.

How many days off do I get?

Can you hear Queen’s Under Pressure in your head? Cause that’s what I hear when someone says the words “take over a kingdom.” All that responsibility…it causes wrinkles, ulcers, and maybe bad posture. You know, with the weight of the world on your shoulders and all that. Now, if you’re promised a month of vacation on a lush, private island then maybe it would be worth it.

Who am I betrothed to?

I mean…if It’s for good of my people, who I’m suddenly very concerned about, then sure. I’ll marry Prince Harry.

I probably wouldn’t turn down Prince Carl Phillip of Sweden, either.

But if it was Prince…I’d want my advisors to see if there were better political ties to be made elsewhere. 

Also, he totally looks like a villain.

Thanks so much Becky! I would absolutely take Prince Carl Phillip of Sweden as well. Hello, there.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

THE SKYLIGHTER

Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.
 

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.
 

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?
 

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iBooks

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Goodreads

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

GIVEAWAY

Five lucky winners will each receive autographed sets of both The Storyspinner AND The Skylighter along with some awesome swag. Ten additional winners will get swag sets. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEEK ONE
3/14/2016- Once Upon A Twilight- Interview 
3/15/2016- Jessabella Reads- Review  
3/16/2016- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt 
3/17/2016- Take Me Away To A Great Read- Review 
3/18/2016- a GREAT read- Interview

WEEK TWO
3/21/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

3/22/2016- Supernatural Snark- Guest Post

3/23/2016- Wishful Endings- Review

3/24/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

3/25/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

Waiting on Tuesday (?): The Skylighter

It's been a little while since I've gotten to do a Waiting on Wednesday post, something I thoroughly enjoy because I get to fangirl over upcoming releases, and since I have a cover reveal scheduled for tomorrow (so excited!) I thought I would just convert my WoW feature into a WoT feature this week ;-)

THE SKYLIGHTER

The Keepers' Chronicles #2

Becky Wallace

Young Adult/Fantasy

Releases March 2016 (yikes!) from Margaret K. McElderry Books

From Goodreads:

Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

I absolutely adored last year's The Storyspinner, so I can't wait to dive back in to Johanna and Rafi's world. Typically multiple POVs are a bit of a struggle for me, so when I learned The Storyspinner followed 5 different characters I was a little hesitant to pick it up, but I quickly fell madly in love with each of them and never once felt that itch to return to a character I found more interesting. It sounds like things are only going to get more difficult for Johanna and Rafi in this installment, and while that makes me absurdly nervous (I should start stocking up on chocolate now so I have enough by March), I still need this book in my life asap.

Goodreads • Amazon

Review: The Storyspinner

THE STORYSPINNER
The Keepers' Chronicles #1
Becky Wallace
Young Adult/Fantasy
432 pages
Margaret K. McElderry
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
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.

MY THOUGHTS
The Storyspinner starts out a little tricky, those readers (like me) who typically stumble with multiple point of view likely to develop a touch of anxiety as we're quickly introduced to the five primary characters with whom we're going to spend our time over the next several hundred pages. While getting situated with Johanna, Rafi, Jacare, Pira and Leao takes a few chapters, before long we find ourselves swept up in the search for a long lost princess and the scheming of those who would do anything to keep her from her rightful claim. Short chapters and the fact that our five protagonists are simply two groups on opposite sides of the search rather than five separate storylines helps keep our attention from wandering with each POV shift, and the strength of the characters themselves makes us absurdly grateful we're privy to each of their innermost thoughts.

Though we spend plenty of time with all five individuals, Johanna and Rafi get the most page time, their antagonistic relationship something that brings a smile to our faces from the moment she wakes up after Rafi knocks her unconscious in a case of mistaken identity. The tension between them is the kind that has us nearly bouncing on our feet in anticipation of their impressive mutual dislike shifting to something softer and sweeter, and the slow escalation of feelings between them doesn't disappoint.

In addition to the five protagonists, this tale also belongs to Johanna and Rafi's respective brothers, a secondary cast that steals the show on more than one occasion. Johanna's two younger brothers are absolutely adorable in their typical boy-ness, saying whatever pops into their heads and delighting in all things adventurous and troublesome, while Rafi's brother wins our hearts with his charmingly inflated ego and tendency to compliment himself (good-naturedly) whenver possible. The result of this entire group together is a story brimming with personality, moments of humor and levity sprinkled in between the rising tension as Johanna's identity gets closer to being revealed with every chapter. The only mild complaint is with an ending that is more a pause in the action than actual conclusion, but thankfully no cliffhanger awaits on the last page even though things as a whole are left very much up in the air.

Rating: 4/5

Find Becky:

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook •Amazon • B&N • Goodreads

This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review. 

I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure and check out my interview with Becky!

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!

• • • • • • • • • • • •

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

• • • • • • • • • • • 

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

• • • • • • • • • • • •

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