Ebook Giveaway & Author Interview

Welcome to Author Lena Goldfinch.

Bio:

Lena Goldfinch loves a good romance. She's been a past finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests, and has been previously published in short fiction. She lives in scenic New England with her husband/mad inventor, two kids, and a very spoiled black Lab.

Her fascination with stories began at a very young age at the town library, a place where she still loves to hang out. In her not-so-murky past, she's worked as a software engineer and a web designer, and has now found her true passion in writing fiction. A member of RWA and SCBWI, she also blogs on LiveJournal and is a member of The Enchanted Inkpot, a community of writers and readers of middle grade and young adult fantasy.

Interview:

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I’d love to be able to do more, you know? It always seems like there’s more I want to do than I can get done with just one of me. Sigh. So I’d love the superpower of Duplication or Multiplicity (Remember that movie?? But I’d prefer to have the power without the degenerative cloning stupidity. ;))

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
I recently discover Skinny Cow Caramel Truffle bars. They’re super yummy. (Yeah, I’m on a diet. I’ve lost 30 pounds so far!)

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
One of my favorite things is eating breakfast out, especially with my family or a good friend. It feels so self-nurturing, like soul food. lol Having it prepared for me and not having to clean up afterwards is just pure decadence. I’m a big fan of all things eggs and cheese (a cheesy mushroom omelet, for instance, or an egg and cheese sandwich on an English) and, once a year, the best ever corn fritters in the world with fresh maple syrup at Gould’s Maple Sugar House on the Mohawk Trail in Shelburne, MA, which is near my husband’s hometown.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
My focus is on young adult fiction these days. I’m currently juggling three works-in-progress, which seems a little excessive, yes? It’s certainly challenging! But that’s just the way they’re coming to me right now, so I’m going with it. I take turns working on whichever one is speaking to me the loudest.

The first is a Maori-inspired island-set young adult fantasy. My working title is Songstone. On the surface, it’s an escape plot, the story of a girl who’s never felt like she’s belonged, the evil sorcerer/medicine man who’s basically enslaved her, and a hunky young journeyman (of course ;)), who comes to the heroine’s aid. But on a deeper level, this story deals with some darker themes, like issues of abandonment and attachment. As an adoptive mom, it takes me to some painful places emotionally, so it’s been a difficult story to tell, but one I feel compelled to write.

The second is kind of a Steampunk romantic fantasy, also for young adults. My working title is Through the Spyglass. If I had to give it a Hollywood pitch, I’d call it The Bourne Identity meets Sherlock Holmes (the new one with Robert Downey, Jr.). It’s the story of Keane, a young earl and spy in training, Though he’s experienced a crippling memory loss, he seeks to rescue the captivating, generous-hearted girl he sees through the lens of an enchanted spyglass. It’s also the story of Lysandra, a young royal emissary, who seeks to recover her stolen identity from a jealous cousin, aptly named Pandora, who’s also stolen a box of enchanted objects. Together, the hero and heroine must prevent this power from falling into the wrong hands.

The last story is in the early stages. I don’t even have a title for it yet. It’s a stand-alone companion book to my young adult romantic fantasy, Aire, which is currently out on submission.

What's the craziest writing idea you've had?
Juggling three works-in-progress? lol

What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I’ve always loved to read and so that was my greatest inspiration, a love of books and language. I remember as a kid one of my favorite things was going to the library – THE LIBRARY!!! (Still is!) I’d stock up with piles and piles of books. I’d devour them like candy. I just loved to read, and still do.

What is one book everyone should read?
I’m a big fan of the Bible. It’s amazing and inspiring. It’s packed with everything: the story of creation, the life of Jesus, the most amazing poetry ever written in the Book of Job, and, well, so much life.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I’ve connected with some amazingly encouraging book bloggers. (Seriously! J) It’s been wonderful to connect with people who have enjoyed reading The Language of Souls.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I was a Nancy Drew girl. I also loved the Trixie Beldon series. I’ve been a fan of intrigue and mystery ever since. As a teen, I was a sucker for a good romance. That hasn’t changed. ;)

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Love the writing and work on your craft, constantly. Read a lot. Write something you’d want to read. Be open to critique. Be willing to revise. And revise and revise… Persevere through rejection and discouragement. That’s kind of generic advice. More close to my heart, I’d say: protect your “real-world” relationships.

How did you know you should become an author?
Though I had dreams of being a writer as a young teen, I pursued a degree in Math/Computer Science, and devoted my career to Software Engineering. It seemed the practical choice, right? I’d dabble in poetry and journaling, but writing took the back seat. Then one year, as a mom with two young children, I rather naively made a New Year’s resolution to write a book. It went something like: I think I’ll write a book this year. (To the tune of: Oh, won’t this be fun? lol) That kicked off one of the most challenging and consuming pursuits of my life, but I did it. I wrote that book. (The first draft anyway.) And I loved it. I was hooked. I couldn’t not write. That’s how I knew, that and some wonderful contest feedback, where I began to hope maybe I had some talent for this obsession.

Hidden talent?
It’s so hidden, even I don’t know what it is.

What books are you looking forward to this year?
I loved Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and am eager to read the next in the series, Clockwork Prince, which releases this December. I also recently finished a funny and fresh paranormal romance called Paranormalcy by Kiersten White and am looking forward to book 2, Supernaturally, out this July.

How do you react to a bad review?
I’ve been fortunate so far to get some really lovely reviews, but my motto is to be gracious, whatever happens. As a writer, I want to connect with readers who enjoy my stories, but I know not everyone is going to like my stuff. So I’d just say “thank you for taking the time to review my book,” if there was a personal connection, that is. Then I’d nurse my wounds in private, because a negative response always feels personal even when you tell yourself it’s not, and move on.

If you were a bird, which one would you be?
Wait, is this a trick question? I feel like I ought to say goldfinch. lol Growing up as a Goldfinch (for real, it’s not just a pen name), I developed a real love and fascination for birds. If I had to choose one, I’d say a red tail hawk. I’d love to soar around like that. They’re so cool.

What do you do in your free time?
What’s that?

What's your favorite season/weather?
I live in New England and feel like I’ve just survived a very rough Winter (with a capital W), so this is a fun question. I love those perfect days that come around every once in a while…those warm and sunny, blue skies with a few puffy white clouds kind of days. Luckily, today is one of those days. Nice.

Favorite music?
I have a very eclectic taste in music, depending on my mood. I’m also a big American Idol fan.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?
I’d have to say Lynn Kurland. She writes wonderfully romantic and funny time travel romances. Unfortunately, I have a feeling I’d be useless to this project. I can just see myself grinning stupidly and stammering like a fan girl the whole time. But at least I’d get to watch her write. *grin*

Language of Souls by Lena Goldfinch:


Actions speak louder than words...

Solena, a young healer with a generous heart, is desperate to heal her dying grandfather. When she ventures into a hostile territory to find a rare herb, she finds out just how much she’s risked when she’s captured by the enemy and accused of being a spy.

As a soldier, Rundan has struggled all his life to please his father, a ruthless army commander, but when he’s ordered to take the beautiful trespasser to the royal courts, where she’ll be summarily tried and executed, he’s plagued by the most inconvenient desire to protect her at all costs.

Though terrified and anxious to escape, Solena is confused by the handsome young soldier who cruelly captures her and then displays uncommon kindness. When he risks his own life to save her, she discovers she may have risked more than her life… she may have lost her heart.



Giveaway Details:
Ebook of Language of Souls
Ends 5/31

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