Starflower by Elizabeth Anne Stengl Blog Tour Kick Off

Posted on January 15, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

Tour Schedule

Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.

Interview

1. What is one book everyone should read?

Right now, my answer is Jasper Fforde’s new dystopian, Shades of Grey. It’s a hilarious and yet thought-provoking romp unlike anything I have ever read before! I’m currently recommending it all over the place.


2. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

It changes. But at the moment, I really like this “Chai Tea with Ginger Cookies” ice cream that my husband brought home the other day. It’s to die for!


3. If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

C.S. Lewis. Such a brilliant mind and a great storyteller, plus he was a tea-drinker. I think he and I would have a lovely afternoon chatting together.

4. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?

I have a multivitamin mocha drink called “Mochatonix” that I drink every morning for breakfast. It gives me a little kick-start to my day! My husband has tried to make a homemade version of it with cocoa powder and multivitamins . . . but it was disgusting. So I’ll stick to my beloved Mochatonix, thank you.

5. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

Fairies, dragons, false gods, enchanted sleeps, daring rescues, dramatic escapes, a charming hero, and one seriously tough heroine . . . this book has it all!


6. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Absolutely! Book 5 in my series, Dragonwitch, comes out later this summer. It picks up some of the threads from Starflower and carries on. Then next year, spring 2014, my sixth novel (as yet untitled) will release as well. Lots to keep me busy!

7. What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I grew up the daughter of a professional novelist. I watched my mother, Jill Stengl, build her career as a historical romance writer, winning awards and studying her craft. It was very inspiring to me, and definitely a huge encouragement as I, in turn, picked up the pen.

8. What is your dream cast for your book?

I would cast a young Jude Law as Eanrin, my hero. And Shay Mitchell would make a lovely Starflower! Chris Hemsworth would play Eanrin’s rival, Captain Glomar of the Guard. Lady Gleamdren, the girl who starts all this trouble, would be played by Amanda Seyfried.


9. What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

I actually was a huge fan of animal stories. My three favorite books which I read over and over and over again were Bambi by Felix Salten, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dottie White Smith. I just loved all three of those books!


10. Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

I think Loreena McKennitt’s “The Never-Ending Road” would make a lovely end song for my story. It touches on many of the major themes and is very dreamy and fairy tale in feel.


11. What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Read!  And read, and read, and read, and read some more. You can’t write if you don’t READ!


12. If you could be one of the Greek Gods, which would it be and why?

Artemis. Because she has the coolest name and she’s the mistress of animals. Perfect for this animal fanatic!


13. What is your favorite Quote?

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” — Robert Browning

14. When you were little, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?

I really wanted to be a writer! I always told myself that when I grew up I would write stories, draw pictures, and have as many cats as I wanted . . . which is exactly what I do now, only add to that picture a sweet husband who does all the laundry and helps with the cooking! It’s a very nice little dream-come true!


15. How did you know you should become an author?

I lived to tell stories. Everything I did always came back to the stories I was writing. I was born to write, so I grew up knowing that I would be an author.

16. What do you do in your free time?

I like to practice classical piano, sing, paint, sketch, bake pastries . . . and I really love to work with rescue kitties! My husband and I foster homeless cats and try to place them in happy homes. Our house gets a little furry sometimes (we have seven cats in the house right now, including three fosters), but it’s full of love.

17. How long do you generally let a story idea ‘marinate’ in your brain before you start the book?

That depends. Starflower marinated for many years. I came up with the initial idea when I was seventeen, but didn’t write it until I was twenty-four. But other stories don’t take as long. The manuscript I just finished, for instance, only marinated for a few months before I wrote it . . . and it’s my favorite story I’ve told yet!

18. Do you prefer to write in silence or with music?

Definitely silence! I have a terrible time focusing if there is anything else going on around me. Sometimes I can play very, very softmusic . . . but not often.

19. Where do you write?

In my new, super-awesome writer’s study! After two contracts, four books, and six manuscripts, I decided it was time I had an actual “office” space. So my husband and I converted one room of our house into my study, and it’s the most beautiful thing! I painted the walls and hung up pretty pictures of dragons, and a beautiful quilted tapestry of a dragon that a fan made for me. Add to that some filmy curtains, a huge desk, a bookshelf, and a super-comfy couch, and you really have the perfect little nest for this author-girl.

Starflower

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?

Tour Schedule 

January 16th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Kick Off
Fiction Playground - Guest Post
LovLivLife Reviews - Guest Post
Book Haven Extraordinaire - Review & Interview
Letters to the Cosmos - Interview & Review
Peace from Pieces - Interview

January 17th
Monique Morgan - Guest Post
My Random Life - Interview
Framed in Words - Tens List
Witchmag’s Boekenplank - Review
Cuzinlogic - Interview

January 18th
Open the Page - Review & Giveaway
Where Fantasy & Love Take Flight - Guest Post
Bunny’s Reviews - Tens List
Author Cheri Schmidt - Interview
A Writer’s Dream - Guest Post & Review

January 19th
Magical Manuscripts - Review
The Bookmark Blog - Review
ReaderGirls - Tens List
Books, Books the Magical Fruit - Guest Post

January 20th
PARAFANTASY - Guest Post
Books Books & More Books - Interview & Review
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch - Guest Post
Colorimetry - Tens List

January 21st
Up All Night Reviews - Guest Post
Becky’s Barmy Book Blog - Review & Tens List
Books Beside My Bed - Review, Guest Post & Giveaway
Blkosiner’s Book Blog - Interview

January 22nd
~Oh, The Books You’ll Read! - Guest Post & Review
The Book Diva’s Reads - Tens List
Yellow Hat Writer - Guest Post
Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - Character Interview

January 23rd
Pieces of Whimsy - Review & Guest Post
icefairy’s Treasure Chest - Guest Post
Deal Sharing Aunt - Review, Tens List & Giveaway
Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews - Guest Post

January 24th
MK McClintock - Tens List
LDS & Lovin’ It - Review
On Starships and Dragonwings - Review
Crossroads Review - Review & Giveaway

January 25th
Tamara’s One Stop Indie Shop - Guest Post
Storeybook Reviews - Excerpt
Making the Grade - Review & Guest Post
A Dream Within A Dream - Tens List

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