Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston #BIR2011

Welcome back Author Lesley Livingston!

Lesley is a writer and actor living in Toronto, Canada. Captivated at a young age by stories of mythology and folk lore, past civilizations, and legendary heroes, she developed into a full-fledged Celtic Mythology Geek, steeped in stories of the Otherworld, Faeries and King Arthur. Lesley went on to earn a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Toronto specializing in Shakespeare and Arthurian literature.

For almost three years, Lesley hosted weekly late-night movie marathons on the nationally broadcast television show, SPACEBAR, as the Waitron-9000, a sparkly holographic waitress with an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure B-movie trivia. She is also a founding member and principal performer with Tempest Theatre Group.

Lesley is an unrepentant egghead – a character-trait that somehow doesn’t interfere with a love of shoes and shiny things.  Lesley is the author of the Wondrous Strange Trilogy: Wondrous Strange 2008, Darklight 2009, Tempestous 2010.

http://lesleylivingston.blogspot.com/

Interview:
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future? 
The past. I spend a lot of time there anyway and know my way around the place!


Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 
If it’s a ONCE EVERY NEVER book: Time-travel-romance-adventure-historical-fantasy-teen-chick-lit-sci-fi-rom-com-romp! If it’s a WONDROUS STRANGE book: Urban-Faerie-breathtaking-romance-adventure-Otherworldly-shenanigans-with-a-touch-of–Shakespeare-and-wicked-cool-fight-scenes!


Any other books in the works? 
I just finished the first book in the (brand new, set in the same universe as the WS books) STARLING series, working on the second book in ONCE EVERY NEVER trilogy, starting in on a co-writing project.  


Goals for future projects? 
Does a nap count as a goal?



Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters? 
Not a single song but the Roxy Music album AVALON soundtracked the WONDROUS STRANGE trilogy.



What is your favorite Quote? 
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5



Nickname? 
Egghead.


If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? 
FIRELORD by Parke Godwin. It made me want to be a writer.


What do you do in your free time? 
…Free what now?

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be? 
See favorite movie quote, below.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? 
I bought a pair of boots named “Lucky”.

Favorite sport? 
Yelling at the TV during a hockey game.


Print or Ebook? 
I think both can co-exist quite nicely!


Chocolate or Vanilla? 
Chocolate/vanilla swirl. In a sugar cone.


Horror or Romance? 
Yes.


Action or Drama? 
Please.


Summer or Winter? 
Fall.


City or Country? 
Central Park in NYC – it’s both.


PC or Mac? 
Mac. His name is “Bob”.


Shoes or Sandals? 
Green suede cowboy boots.


Cats or Dog? 
Cats. Yes, with an “s”. 3 of them.


Favorite quote from a movie? 
“I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go!” - Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Title: Tempestuous
Author: Lesley Livingston
Series: Wondrous Strange Book 3 of 3
Released: December 21, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Tags: Young Adult, Fantasy, Faeries

Book Summary contains Spoilers if you have not read Darklight.

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."
That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.
But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.
The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange andDarklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.

I really enjoyed the Wondrous Strange Series.  The final book was published in December of 2010.  Thankfully December books are eligible for entry in the 2011 BIR event.

You can read my review of Wondrous Strange HERE, Darklight HERE and Tempestous HERE.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Content: Some Language

Giveaway Details:
1 personalized signed copy of Tempestous
Open to US & Canada
Ends 12/31/11

Optional Extra Entry
+1 Follow Lesley on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LesLivingston

WINNER:
Erin PreFontaine

Book Review: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

Title: Tempestuous
Author: Lesley Livingston
Series: Wondrous Strange Book 3 of 3
Released: December 21, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Tags: Young Adult, Fantasy, Faeries

Book Summary contains Spoilers if you have not read Darklight.

I don't love Sonny Flannery."
That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.
But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.
The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange andDarklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.

This was a great end to a great series. I listened to an audio version of this book and Lesley Livingston again did a fabulous job as the narrator. We've had A Midsummer's Night Dream then Romeo & Juliet and now references to Shakespeare's The Tempest.  I have really enjoyed this series, the exact type of books I love to read.

It's nearly impossible to write a review of the 3rd book in a series without including spoilers so this will be brief (as most of my reviews usually are anyway).  All the unanswered questions from the series are all wrapped up nicely and everything comes together in this satisfying conclusion to the Wondrous Strange trilogy.  This book has a little of everything: magic, mythology, mystery, adventure and romance.  A series I would highly recommend.

The main characters Kelley & Sonny are of course fabulous but there is also a great cast of supporting characters as well. I love Fenrys, Tyff, Chloe, Maddox, Jack, Bob and all the rest.

If you enjoy faerie fantasy and can handle some mild language then try this series.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Source: Audible.com download

Content: Some language

Book Review: Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Title: Darklight
Author: Lesley Livingston
Series: Wondrous Strange book 2 of 3
Released: December 22, 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Tags: Young Adult, Fantasy, Faeries, Romance

The Book Summary contains spoilers if you have not read Book 1: Wondrous Strange.

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.

Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.
Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with Wondrous Strange.

Lots of twists and turns in this sequel to Wondrous Strange. Although I enjoyed this book, it wasn't quite as good as the first book in the series. If I had read Darklight when it was released I would have been annoyed with the cliffhanger ending. Thankfully the third and final book Tempestuous is already out so I started on it as soon as I finished Darklight. It picks up moments after this book end.

I love the world and characters Lesley Livingston has created.

Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: A little language

Source: Audio download from Audible.com


Have you read Darklight? What did you think? If you have posted a review on your blog please feel free to link it up.

Book Review: Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Title: Wondrous Strange
Author: Lesley Livingston
Series: Wondrous Strange Book 1 of 3
Released: September 9, 2009
Publisher: HarperCollins
Tags: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Faeries, Midsummer's Night Dream

17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

The Wondrous Strange series has been on my to-read list for nearly two years. I had company coming this past weekend and needed to spend a day cleaning so I needed a good audio book to listen to. Wondrous Strange did the trick and I got my house clean and an entire book listened to all in one day.

I was a little worried when I started this and it said "read by the author". Most of the books I have listened to that have been read by the author have been a less than stellar performance. Thankfully Lesley Livingston did a great job with the narration of her book.

I enjoy young adult faerie stories and love the characters from Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream so Wondrous Strange was right up my alley. I loved the Iron Fey series and although this book has some of the same characters it is completely different.

I was completely drawn into the story, loved the writing and characters. I'm just about to start the sequel Darklight.  For those who enjoy young adult faerie stories I recommend you give this book a try, I'm hoping the rest of the series is as good as this one.

Rating: 4.5 Stars - Highly Recommend

Source: Audio download from Audible.com

Content: a little language (maybe 4 or 5 times throughout but no F word)

Have you read & reviewed Wondrous Strange? Feel free to link you to your review.

#BIR2010 - Book Giveaway: Darklight by Lesley Livingston + Interview

Welcome Author Lesley Livingston

Lesley is a writer and actor living in Toronto, Canada. Captivated at a young age by stories of mythology and folk lore, past civilizations, and legendary heroes, she developed into a full-fledged Celtic Mythology Geek, steeped in stories of the Otherworld, Faeries and King Arthur. Lesley went on to earn a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Toronto specializing in Shakespeare and Arthurian literature.

For almost three years, Lesley hosted weekly late-night movie marathons on the nationally broadcast television show, SPACEBAR, as the Waitron-9000, a sparkly holographic waitress with an encyclopedic knowledge of obscure B-movie trivia. She is also a founding member and principal performer with Tempest Theatre Group.

Lesley is an unrepentant egghead – a character-trait that somehow doesn’t interfere with a love of shoes and shiny things.  Lesley is the author of the Wondrous Strange Trilogy: Wondrous Strange 2008, Darklight 2009, Tempestous 2010.
http://lesleylivingston.blogspot.com/

Interview:
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
The past… even though I know I would regret the choice almost immediately (I’m fond of things like plumbing and heat), but I am a total history junkie. That’s why my book ONCE EVERY NEVER (coming out next summer) has my heroine time-travelling back to 1st Century Britain!

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
(In keeping with the above historical theme) Shakespeare, King Arthur, Hatshepsut, Boudicca, Julius Caesar

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Coffee. It is an essential food group all on its own.

Is there anything you need in order to write? (ie Chocolate, quiet, music)
My Mac, my fuzzy writing boots (if I’m at home – the office gets chilly). That’s it. Otherwise, I can make do with a cocktail napkin and an eyeliner if an idea strikes.

Night owl, or early bird?
What is this “bird of earliness” of which you speak??

Favorite Cartoon?
Anything classic Warner Brothers (this does NOT include those ridiculous movies!). Bugs and Daffy rock!

What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Hockey. Even though the Leafs love to break my heart, I still can’t leave them.

If you could be a paranormal creature, what would you choose to be?
One of the Fair Folk. Faerie rock. (Was that too obvious?)

What is your favorite book that has been made into a movie?
I’m very fond of the Lord of the Rings movies. A fantastic adaptation that actually understands the difference between the two mediums.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If it’s the WONDROUS STRANGE books, then: because it would please the Fae immensely if you would be so kind. (And I do suggest staying on their good side, lest ye wake up to shoes full of pudding…)

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. which would it be?
Guy Gavriel Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry series. Or Chicago in The Dresden Files.

What is your dream cast for your book?
A couple of brilliant young unknowns for Sonny and Kelley, and Andy Serkis as Bob!

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Not a song, but a whole album – Roxy Music’s Avalon.

What is your favorite quote?
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” (Hamlet)
Thanks, Kathy!! This was fun!!

Giveaway:

Darklight (Wondrous Stange #2):
Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.

Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.

Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with Wondrous Strange.

Giveaway Details:
One copy of Darklight by Lesley Livingston
Open to US only
Ends 12/16
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