Interview with Tanaz Bhathena for Hunted by The Sky

Hunted by the Sky (The Wrath of Ambar #1)

by Tanaz Bhathena
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: June 23rd 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Gul has spent her life running. She has a star-shaped birthmark on her arm, and in the kingdom of Ambar, girls with such birthmarks have been disappearing for years. Gul's mark is what caused her parents' murder at the hand of King Lohar's ruthless soldiers and forced her into hiding to protect her own life. So when a group of rebel women called the Sisters of the Golden Lotus rescue her, take her in, and train her in warrior magic, Gul wants only one thing: revenge.

Cavas lives in the tenements, and he's just about ready to sign his life over to the king's army. His father is terminally ill, and Cavas will do anything to save him. But sparks fly when he meets a mysterious girl--Gul--in the capital's bazaar, and as the chemistry between them undeniably grows, he becomes entangled in a mission of vengeance--and discovers a magic he never expected to find.

Dangerous circumstances have brought Gul and Cavas together at the king's domain in Ambar Fort . . . a world with secrets deadlier than their own. Exploring identity, class struggles, and high-stakes romance, Hunted by the Sky is a gripping adventure set in a world inspired by medieval India.

Can you briefly describe HUNTED BY THE SKY and its characters? 

Set in a world inspired by medieval India, HUNTED BY THE SKY follows the story of a girl named Gul, who has vowed vengeance against a tyrant king for ordering the murder of her parents. Trained in warrior magic by a group of rebel women, Gul infiltrates the king’s palace with the help of a reluctant stable boy named Cavas, who has some dark secrets of his own. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why? 

Honestly, I love both Gul and Cavas, but there’s another character who has really become a favourite—a character who I can’t mention right now for fear of spoiling the book. 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere? 

I was struggling with a SF dystopian novel that I’d drafted, which was going nowhere. I loved the characters I’d created, but didn’t like the plot and the setting was weak. A friend of mine suggested trying out fantasy instead of science fiction. That’s when the gears began turning in my head. I decided to change the setting to one inspired by India—more specifically medieval India, a historical period I was obsessed with as a teen. I was also inspired by a group of women from north India called the Gulabi Gang (the Rose Gang), which works for women’s welfare. The Sisterhood of the Golden Lotus was born and I had my main character’s new name—Gul. 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be? 

“Bad Bad Girls” from the movie, Chak De India 

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters? 

Ishan Khattar for Cavas. I would love Tara Gupta, the model on my cover, to play Gul. 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date? 

Have a cup of lemongrass chai at the Lake Palace Udaipur in Rajasthan and take the book with you. Ambar will come alive. 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish HUNTED BY THE SKY? 

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri, The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala, and The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book? 

Every book has its own challenges. For this book, I had to learn more about creating a magical system and a whole world with its own history and myths. It was quite challenging initially, but also a lot of fun! 

What’s next for you? 

The sequel to HUNTED BY THE SKY!

Orders of a hardcover book will receive limited edition swag and be entered to win a $100 gift card. Open to residents of US and Canada.

Tanaz Bhathena writes books for young adults. Her sophomore novel, The Beauty of the Moment, won the Nautilus Award for Young Adult Fiction and has also been nominated for the Ontario Library Association’s White Pine Award. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. Her latest book, Hunted by the Sky, (releasing June 23 2020) is the first of a YA fantasy duology set in a world inspired by medieval India. Her short stories have appeared in various publications including The Hindu, Blackbird, Witness, and Room.

Born in India and raised in Saudi Arabia and Canada, Tanaz lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with her family.

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Interview with Rebecca Ross for Sisters of Sword & Song

Sisters of Sword and Song

by Rebecca Ross
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 23rd 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

From the author of The Queen’s Rising comes a thrilling YA stand-alone fantasy about the unbreakable bond between sisters. Perfect for fans of Ember in the Ashes, Sky in the Deep, and Court of Fives.

After eight long years, Evadne will finally be reunited with her older sister, Halcyon, who has been proudly serving in the queen’s army. But when Halcyon appears earlier than expected, Eva knows something has gone terribly wrong. Halcyon is on the run, hunted by her commander and charged with murder.

Though Halcyon’s life is spared during her trial, the punishment is heavy. And when Eva volunteers to serve part of Halcyon’s sentence, she’s determined to find out exactly what happened. But as Eva begins her sentence, she quickly learns that there are fates much worse than death.

Can you briefly describe SISTERS OF SWORD AND SONG and its characters?

Sisters of Sword & Song is about two sisters—Evadne, a scribe, and Halcyon, an esteemed warrior in the Bronze Legion. When Halcyon unexpectedly returns home one night, now a criminal and on the run from her Commander, Evadne knows her sister is in trouble. And Evadne, who has always felt underestimated and overlooked, decides to take half of Halcyon’s punishment. But as both sisters serve the sentence, secrets begin to come to light, and Evadne learns that her sister was involved in a dangerous mission. And what Halcyon began, Evadne must now complete, even as she faces a sinister magic that threatens to unravel her world.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Ah, this is so hard to answer! I truly love them all, but I think I have quite a soft spot for Evadne. :) There are moments in her personal journey that resonate the most with me.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I had two different story ideas. One idea was about a mage and a scribe. The other was an idea for a sister story, where one sister commits a crime and the other rises to help carry her punishment. Both story ideas were intriguing to me, but every time I attempted to write them separately, they fizzled out. It wasn’t until I brought the two together that I found a spark and the story caught fire.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

I love the song “Rejoice and Lament” by Josh Garrels. I love how this song unfolds like poetry, and there’s an illusion to Icarus. These lyrics, in particular, are some of my favorite: “I said Father the feathers of my wax wings / Fall away by the rising of the sun / And I have descended when I was undone / And I will ascend when your Spirit comes.”

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I honestly would love to see up and coming actors portray my characters. Every now and then, I might come across an actor or actress who I feel like would be amazing in bringing my characters to life, but most of the time I don’t cast them. 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

A glass of wine on the Greek coast!

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish SISTERS OF SWORD AND SONG?

I would love to recommend my other two books, which are part of a duology and are available to read now: The Queen’s Rising and The Queen’s Resistance. Readers can expect another adventure, strong ties of sisterhood, vast worldbuilding, a hint of magic and a slow burning romance in these books.

I also would love to recommend The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip, which reads like a myth unfolding and is one of my favorite novels. 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Reaching the end! I write by the seat of my pants, which means I write linearly and discover so much of the plot as I go. It can feel a bit like driving at night and only being able to see what the headlights reveal. And it can be difficult to keep going, especially when another shiny story idea emerges, or the magic of the current idea begins to dim. But whenever I reach that final scene and type the last words…I always feel such an intense moment of relief and accomplishment, even if I know the draft is a mess and will require intense revisions.

What’s next for you?

I have more projects in the works! They haven’t been announced yet (although I believe it will be imminent), so I’ll be sharing more details about these projects very soon on my social media. Thank you so much for having me for an interview!

Rebecca Ross grew up in Georgia, where she continues to reside with her husband, lively dog and endless piles of books. She received her bachelor's degree in English from UGA. In the past she has worked at a Colorado dude ranch, as a school librarian, and as a live-time captionist for a college.

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Interview with Heather Frost for Royal Decoy

Royal Decoy (Fate of Eyrinthia, #1)

by Heather Frost
Release Date: June 18th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

A SERVANT blackmailed into becoming a princess’s decoy.

A BODYGUARD determined to keep her alive.

A PRINCE forced to execute his father’s brutal laws.

A PRISONER used to keep him compliant.

A WORLD on the brink of war.

In one horrible night, Clare goes from kitchen maid to royal decoy. She has three months to become the princess's perfect double so she can ensure her betrothal to an enemy prince. Desperate to survive, Clare throws herself into self-defense training, taught by her distractingly attractive bodyguard. The danger increases when a ruthless assassin begins stalking her, intent on ending the tenuous peace.

Across the northern mountains, Prince Grayson is his father’s ultimate weapon. He carries out the king’s harsh orders because the one person he cares about is his father’s prisoner. Grayson's silent obedience is tested when his father plans to exploit the marriage alliance between two of their greatest enemies. If Grayson submits, the blood of thousands will spill. If he resists, the girl who means everything to him will die.

The fate of Eyrinthia hangs in the balance. Some want peace. Some want war. All will be thrown into chaos.

Can you briefly describe ROYAL DECOY and its characters?

Thanks for having me, I’m excited to be here! Royal Decoy is set in the fictional, medieval world of Eyrinthia. There are two main storylines. The first follows Clare, a servant who is blackmailed into becoming a princess’s decoy. Her new life consists of being a target for assassins, dealing with castle politics, and learning all sorts of new skills (including self-defence, taught by the enigmatic and attractive Captain Bennick Markam). Clare must become the princess’s perfect double to help ensure the princess’s betrothal to an enemy prince.

The second storyline takes place in another kingdom and follows Grayson, who is the youngest prince of Ryden. He was raised in an epically twisted family and his role is to be an enforcer of his father’s brutal laws. His father, King Henri, controls Grayson because he holds prisoner the only person Grayson cares about: his childhood friend/girl-he-loves-but-can-never-admit-he-does, Mia. But there are some orders Grayson struggles to follow, even though his father is clearly testing him—preparing him for a role in the war King Henri plans to start.

Clare and Grayson may be in different kingdoms, but it’s pretty clear that one day they are going to meet and influence each other’s lives—for good or bad is up for debate :)

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Hmm…That’s a hard question. I feel like it changes :) But right now I’d say Grayson is my favourite, because his story is just so compelling. He grew up in a nightmare, and yet he hasn’t been corrupted by his evil, sadistic family. He has a moral compass, and even though that can be a painful thing for him sometimes, it’s there. His resiliency amazes me. Also, the chemistry between Grayson and Mia is a tangible thing, and I’m a romantic, so I love that! 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

Several years ago I was working on a totally different project, and pieces for Royal Decoy started falling into place. I would jot the ideas down, and then try and concentrate on my other project, but, Royal Decoy just took over. Clare’s storyline fell into place first; I loved the idea of having a regular person be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and then suddenly be thrust into royal politics. I liked the idea of having my main character be the decoy, rather than the princess. I wanted to play with how she would adapt, how she would struggle, and how she would eventually find herself while pretending to be someone else. As her storyline took shape, other pieces came into play—including a terrifying assassin you won’t meet until book 2, and of course Grayson. Originally, I thought Royal Decoy would be a single POV story and that it would fill exactly one book. I even told my writers group that, and we still laugh about it, because Royal Decoy became so much more than that first vision. It’s a whole series with multiple POVs, and I think it’s a much more powerful story because of it.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

I think I’ll cheat and give you two—one for each main storyline :). For Clare, I’d pick “Shake It Out”, by Florence and the Machine. For Grayson, I’d probably say “Breath”, by Breaking Benjamin.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I think I’d prefer to have unknown actors. I know that’s not a very fun answer :)

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Strawberry lemonade on a beach feels like the perfect combo. If you’re like me and you don’t live near a beach, then a warm corner of the backyard also sounds nice!

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish ROYAL DECOY?

So many books! “Kiss of Deception” by Mary E. Pearson is a fantastic fantasy that I feel has a similar vibe to Royal Decoy. Also, “Falling Kingdoms” by Morgan Rhodes, and “Winner’s Curse” by Marie Rutkoski. Some other favourites of mine are “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas, the “Lux” and “Origin” series’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and “The False Prince” by Jennifer A. Nielsen.

If you want to try another book from me, you can check out “Seers”, book 1 of my YA Paranormal trilogy; it’s got Demons, Guardians (not angels) and a girl who can see them, which of course puts her in the middle of an immortal war. Fun times :)

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

For me, the editing stage is probably the most difficult. It can be hard to get rid of parts you love, even if it’s better for the story, and it can be a painful process to polish scenes until they gleam. But it is also one of the most rewarding stages! 

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on book 2 of Royal Decoy, and I’m also working on another book that will kick off an entirely new series, which I’ll be excited to announce more details about soon!

Heather Frost writes mostly YA fiction and has a soft spot for tortured characters, breath-stealing romance, and happy endings. She is the author of the Seers trilogy. She has a BS in Creative Writing and a minor in Folklore, which means she got to read fairy tales and ghost stories and call it homework.

When she’s not writing, Heather likes to read, travel, and hold Lord of the Rings movie marathons. She owns two typewriters, sings in the car, and dreams of living in a castle someday. She currently lives in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering mountains in the wilds of Utah.

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👑 G I V E A W A Y 👑 . . 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓻𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮, 𝓜𝓲𝓼𝓼 𝓔𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓽𝓸𝓷. 𝓐 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱. . . Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you are all well. Today I am sharing with you a book I have been dying to show you despite my hiatus. You know I love YA Romances and @heather.frost.author new novel, #RoyalDecoy, is everything and MORE. . . If you need a sneak peak, here's one from the official synopsis: A SERVANT blackmailed into becoming a princess’s decoy. A BODYGUARD determined to keep her alive. A PRINCE forced to execute his father’s brutal laws. A PRISONER used to keep him compliant. A WORLD on the brink of war. This deserves a proper book trailer such as the PS5 trailers we have seen yesterday. There I said it. I highly recommend you guys reading this novel and to celebrate it will be out in a week from now, Heather is giving away the following bundle (swipe ➡️ to see prizes): ♡Personalized/Signed ARC of Royal Decoy (softcover) ♡Personalized/Signed copy of Seers, Book 1 of the Seers Trilogy (hardcover) ♡Seers t-shirt (your choice of a small, medium, or large) ♡2 mood rings (for you and a friend!) ♡Signed bookmarks/swag OPEN INTERNATIONALLY . . Entries for the giveaway: ▪︎Follow @theffbc & @whatmakespatri ▪︎Follow @heather.frost.author ▪︎Follow @michellesulk ▪︎Recommend me a good Romance book below . . Extra entries: ▪︎Tag a friend (each friend will be an extra entry). ▪︎Share the giveaway on your story (tag me @whatmakespatri & @theffbc) ▪︎Follow any other FFBC team member participating in the tour (comment below who did you follow): @wandersbetweenpages @books_over_everything @foalsfictionandfiligree @shelflifechronicles @_ebl_inc_ @l.m.durand @lauren.bodiford @moonlight_rendezvous @jypsylynn @love2dazzle @bookbriefs @purpleshadowhunter @ya.its.lit @trappedinsidestories . . #royaldecoy #heatherfrost #yaromance #yafantasy #bookshimmy #booksofinstagram #teenbooks #teenromance #ireadya #booksbooksbooks #booksofig #booklovers #bookshelves #booknerd #bookninja #romance #yabookstagrammer #yabooklover

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