PSC: Interview & Giveaway with Beth Bernobich

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:

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):

 

More books by Beth:

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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 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.

Website | Twitter

 

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