GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ ANNE STENGL, author of STARFLOWER

- Win a copy of THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer Nielsen (Ends 11/2) 

- Win ASHES and SHADOWS by Ilsa J. Bick ( Ends 11/14) 

- Win a copy of ANIMAL ANDY by Kathy Rygg(Ends 11/19)

 

STARFLOWER
Anne Elizabeth Stengl
Bethany House
400 pp.
Young Adult
Release Date:  11/1/12

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal.

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?

STARFLOWER is the 4th book in the Goldstone Wood series and releases TODAY!!!  To celebrate, Anne visits with us today for an interviews AND is providing a copy of her new book as a GIVEAWAY. Be sure to check out the details below.

1.  Describe Starflower in one sentence.

When immortal Eanrin turns reluctant hero and wakes a mortal girl from an enchanted sleep, he finds himself caught in an adventure far bigger--and more dangerous--than he ever imagined!

2.  What inspired you to write this story?

This is a story I've had lingering in the back of my brain for so many years now, it's hard to remember what first inspired it. I wrote a short-story version of it back in my sophomore year of college, and I was so nervous about sharing it with anyone! But the enthusiastic response I received, both from my professor and my classmates, encouraged me that I had a good thing developing . . . I simply needed to let it sit a few years (and write a few other novels) before it would show me just how big and complex and magical a story it was meant to be!

3.  What books did you enjoy reading when you were younger and how have they influenced you as a writer?

I love the work of George MacDonald. When I was little, his book The Princess and the Goblin was one of my very favorites. While in high school I discovered his book Phantastes, a challenging, strange, but rewarding read. I believe I can peg a scene near the end of Phantastes as the very first germs of the idea that became Starflower: The hero in that story faces a frightening ordeal when a village gathers to offer sacrifices to a hidden beast. Knowing that there is evil near, even if no one else can see it, the hero steps forward to battle the brute against all odds. It was such a powerful scene, beautifully written as only MacDonald can write!

I have also loved the work of C.S. Lewis, Diana Wynne Jones, Patricia C. Wrede, and many more wonderful fairy tale novelists.

4.  How does Starflower fit into your Goldstone Wood series?

Starflower is a prequel to the other three Tales of Goldstone Wood. It takes place a good 1600 years before Heartless (the first in the series). But this is a realm of immortals and Faeries . . . so there are more than a few familiar faces to be found in the story! Including fan-favorite, Bard Eanrin of Rudiobus.

5.  Tell us a little about your road to publication.

My road to publication was a series of unexpected gates opened before me by, I have to believe, God's power alone. I knew from the time I was nine years old that I wanted to be a novelist, but I always figured I would have to wait a long time for professional publication to become a reality in my life. But the summer after I finished college, I got the idea for Heartless, Book 1 in the Tales of Goldstone Wood. I wrote the manuscript, polished it, and found an agent within a year. Within a year after that, my agent found the story a publishing home at Bethany House. And a year later, Heartless was in print. It was truly amazing how fast everything came together . . . not by any particular talent or networking on my end!

6.  What can we expect from you in the future?

Come summer 2013, you can start looking for Dragonwitch, Book 5 in the Tales of Goldstone Wood. I am also just finishing up the rough draft of Book 6 (working title: Shadow Hand), which is due to release spring of 2014. So, lots more dragons, knights, quests, adventures, and magic to be had!

Thank you so much for hosting me here on your lovely blog, Laurisa. And I hope all of you will find an opportunity to read Eanrin and Starflower's tale!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Anne Stengl is providing a copy of STARFLOWER to one lucky winner. To be eligible to win, please fill out the rafflecopter form below. U.S. entries only, please.

The giveaway will end on November 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway