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Monday, August 13, 2012

PSC: Interview & Giveaway with Beth Bernobich

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Today’s guest is Beth Bernobich! I fell in love with her wonderful fantasy series called River of souls, a couple months ago and she has kindly agreed to be here today to answer a few questions. Her River of Souls series currently has only two books, and the latest one was recently released on July 17th, 2012. As part of her visit, Beth is also offering a giveaway copy of this newest book, QUEEN’S HUNT!

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The first book of the series (PASSION PLAY) was written from Ilse's POV. Was it difficult for you to write from multiple POVs in the second book? Was that always the plan?

I found it quite easy to write from multiple POVs for the second book. My plan was always to start with just Ilse, from a very personal point of view, then to widen the lense in Queen's Hunt to give the perspective of other major characters, in other kingdoms. I take this another step in the third book, Allegiance, to include POVs from even more characters and more places. It's still mainly Ilse's story, but with a tapestry of others behind and around her.

How many books are planned for your River of Souls series?

I haven't quite decided. The first three books (Passion Play, Queen's Hunt, and Alliegance) make a complete trilogy. After that comes a fourth, stand-alone book, The Edge of the Empire, to be published in 2014, which tells a story from Ilse and Raul's past lives. I do have notes and drafts for more books about other characters, so we'll see how many of these get written and published.

Dreams and past lives are dominant themes in your series. Many of the characters seem to be afraid of discussing any of their dreams or past lives, almost as if it were taboo. Is there a reason for this? Also, does everyone dream of their past lives, or just people that are magically inclined?

Everyone has life dreams, but not everyone dreams vividly. That depends on the person and the events of their previous lives. It's not a taboo to talk about the dreams or the lives. Some people are quite comfortable discussing what came before, but more people consider the matter to be private, especially if they discover something unpleasant or disturbing about themselves.

A few relationships in your books are homosexual, and other characters are also homosexual. Is there a reason why you chose to highlight homosexuality? Did you have any anxiety about publishing this type of book and about having the general public accept your books?

I never thought I was highlighting homosexuality. Rather I decided not to *exclude* characters who were gay or bisexual. And no, I didn't have any anxiety about publishing a book with gay and bisexual characters--it seemed the most natural thing in the world. Any book will find that some readers don't accept it, and for any number of reasons. All a writer can do it write the story as strong and true as they can.

I agree, the word highlight might have been the wrong word to use.

As a child, what is your best memory of the summer breaks?

My best memories are of endless sun-filled days, spent rambling through the fields and woods in back of our house. There I could pretend to be anyone and anything, from Pegasus to an explorer in the wildnerness.

What is your favorite summer camp meal?

I'm old-fashioned. I love hot dogs cooked over a campfire, served on toasted buns, with far too much spicy mustard.

Beth, thank you for visiting the blog today! I look forward to reading the rest of the series and any other books that you’ll hopefully publish in the near future!

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More about QUEEN’S HUNT:
Beth Bernobich - queen's Hunt - Tynga's Reviews

Ilse Zhalina has left to start a new life in a garrisoned fort, leagues from her estranged lover, Raul Kosenmark. The violent quarrel that ended Ilse and Raul's relationship was quite public. And also, quite fake. They hope to mislead Kosenmark's enemies so that he can continue to influence the politics of the kingdom in an attempt to stave off an ill-advised war, while keeping Ilse safe from royal assassins.

While Raul seeks to make alliances for peace, Ilse is set on her own quest to find one of the three fabled jewels of Lir. In her search, she encounters a shipwrecked prisoner from another land, a woman who has a secret of her own...and the second jewel in her keeping. The two women become allies in their quest for the third jewel, because finding and controlling these stones could mean salvation for both of their nations. And their failure the ruin of their peoples.

My thoughts on Queen’s Hunt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

 
The other book in the River of Souls series (click the cover for my review):
Beth Bernobich - Passion Play - on Tynga's Reviews
 

More books by Beth:

Beth Bernobich - Fox & PhoenixBernobich covBeth Bernobich - A Handful of Pearls & Other Stories

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Beth is offering one (1) copy of Queen’s Hunt to one (1) lucky winner!

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Open to US & Canada only

Ends Wednesday, September 5th, 2012

(like all of our Paranormal Summer Camp giveaways)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Beth Bernobich

Beth Bernobich is a writer, reader, mother, and geek. Her short stories have appeared in all kinds of places, including Asimov's, Interzone, Strange Horizons, and Sex in the System. Her first fantasy novel, Passion Play, came out from Tor Books in 2010 and won the 2010 RT Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Epic Fantasy. Her first YA novel, Fox & Phoenix, appeared from Viking Children's Books in 2011 and was nominated for the YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adult List. She lives in Connecticut, USA with her husband, son, and two idiosyncratic cats.


 

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19 People left their mark' :

  1. I recently read Jaran by Kate Elliot (another fantasy) and she also includes homosexual characters rather than exclude them, as Beth does. I like that, because it seems more natural. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

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  2. I have wanted to read Passion Play for months now and still waiting for my library to grab a copy. I can't wait to read this series because it sounds so good :)

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  3. Thanks for a great post! It's so fun to "meet" authors that I've read great reviews for! Thanks for writing "naturally". So often I think that some authors get caught up in what's popular or politically correct and their worlds are very... let's say... white washed... Our world is very diverse and it's fun to read about a fantasy world with that same diversity :)

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  4. Another new to me author. Thank you :)

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  5. I haven't read any of Beth;s books before but this summer I've vowed to try new authors so one more on my list!

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  6. I had never heard of this series until just now. Definitely going on my 'list.'

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  7. Trying to keep the voices separate using multiple POV's can be difficult. I can't wait to see how you did it!

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  8. Queen's Hunt sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. This book sounds amazing! Thank you Beth for the interview and giveaway. :)

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  10. This book sounds awesome. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Great post! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  12. Love finding now to me authors.Your book sounds amazing a must read for me .Thank you for sharing with us .Have a fantastic week.

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  13. Nice covers. All the books sound good.

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  14. I loved the interview. This book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the chance to win it.

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  15. I haven't heard of this series before. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  16. I like books written from multiple POV's. I find it adds dimension to the characters.

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  17. This is a new to me author. This series sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance.

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  18. new author, new series, looking forward to reading!

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  19. The covers of your books are gorgeous and I would love to read this series as I love books where Dreams sort of become like the main theme of the series! I definitely can't wait to see your future projects :D

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