Title:
BURN
Author:
Elissa Sussman
Release
Date: January
19th, 2016
Pages: 272
Publisher:
Greenwillow
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets, mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget, and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away.
With fellow rebels on her side—including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias—it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves?
The thrilling companion to Elissa Sussman’s masterful and original fairy tale, Stray, that will appeal to readers of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and fans of Wicked, Into the Woods, and the Disney princess movies.
Now on to the interview!
Hi Elissa! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books!
I am looking forward to BURN and I know my readers are as well and am so happy
that you could stop by for a visit!
Thank you so much for having me!
For the
readers: can you tell us a little bit about THE FOUR SISTERS Books and the
characters?
BURN is the second book in this series of original fairy tales.
It follows Elanor, a character first seen near the end of STRAY, and introduces
readers to her world in the Western Kingdom, one that is ruled by the Wicked
Queen Josetta. It is a continuation of some of the storylines introduced in
STRAY, and includes familiar characters from that book, such as Aislynn,
Thackery, Brigid and Rhys.
Were any
of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
None of the people were, but Dagger (the fox) was loosely
inspired by my dog, Basil (known on social media as #basilthedog). It’s not
hard to tell that I’m kind of obsessed with him, but I drew a lot of
inspiration from the innate love that animals give the people who care for them
when it came to crafting the relationship Dagger has with Elanor.
Who was
your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
Rhys is a really fun character to write and has been since he
first showed up in STRAY. He’s got a swagger about him that is really fun to
play with, especially because he’s also very kind and sensitive. And I don’t
have a least favorite, but Wren was probably the most difficult to write
because it took so long to pin her down as a character. She went through the
most changes, and ended up being a character I feel very protective of.
What is
your favorite passage/scene in BURN?
I really loved writing the chapter where Elanor, Brigid and
Aislynn spend the most time together. They’re getting dressed up, doing their
hair, drinking a little and talking about the crushes they’ve had (or currently
have). Since the rest of the book is action packed and pretty dark, it’s a
moment of playfulness for them and a chance to have fun with them as
characters. I love writing female friendships and this was a special moment for
all three of them.
What kind
of research did you have to do for the story?
As always, my favorite research always involves food. Like
STRAY, there is a recipe included, as well as other tasty treats mentioned. Of
course, I had to make and eat them many, many times to make sure I was doing
them justice in the story.
What are
you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to
read?
WINTER by Marissa Meyer and SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo are
at the top of my TBR list. Can’t resist a fairy tale retelling or feminist-y
fantasy stories.
Who is
your ultimate Book Boyfriend?
I’m a Ron Weasley girl, all the way. Ron and Hermione forever!
What
inspired you to write YA?
I remember being a teen and the deep, unconditional love I had
for my favorite books. It was a really special age for me, where falling into a
book was pure magic. YA readers, especially those that are still young adults,
are the most passionate, excited readers I’ve ever encountered and there is no
one I’d rather write for.
Lightening
Round Questions
Twitter or
Facebook?
Twitter
Favorite
Superhero?
Captain America (Chris Evans ::swoon::)
Favorite
TV show?
Elementary (Lucy Liu ::swoon::)
Sweet or
Salty?
Sweet. My sweet tooth is out of control.
Any
Phobias?
Sharks! I can’t even go in the ocean.
Song you
can’t get enough of right now?
The whole Hamilton soundtrack, but especially “Wait For It”
Upcoming
Movie you’re most looking forward to?
The new Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson, though I’m so
bummed they’re not including any songs from the Broadway show.
Thanks so much Elissa for answering my questions!
About
Elissa:
Elissa Sussman is a writer, a reader and a
pumpkin pie eater.
She received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College
and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of
the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney,
Dreamworks and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE
CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and TANGLED.
She currently lives in Los Angeles with her
boyfriend and their rescue mutt, Basil.
Giveaway Details:
1
winner will receive a signed paperback of STRAY and buttons. US Only.
Check out the Tour Schedule!
Week
One:
1/11/2016- Dazzled by Books- Interview
1/12/2016- Seeing
Double In Neverland- Review
1/13/2016- The Eater of Books!- Guest
Post
1/14/2016- RhiReading- Review
1/15/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview
Week
Two:
1/18/2016- Stories & Sweeties- Review
1/19/2016- Fire and Ice- Guest
Post
1/20/2016- Owl Always Be Reading- Review
1/21/2016- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview
1/22/2016- Night Owl Book Café- Review
Grab book 1 in the series!
Title: STRAY
Author: Elissa Sussman
Release
Date:
October 7th, 2014
Pages:
384
Publisher: Greenwillow
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback,
eBook, audiobook
I
am grateful for my father, who keeps me good and sweet. I am grateful for my
mother, who keeps her own heart guarded and safe. I am grateful for my adviser,
who keeps me protected. I am grateful for the Path, which keeps me pure. Ever
after.
Princess Aislynn has long dreamed about attending her Introduction Ball, about dancing with the handsome suitors her adviser has chosen for her, about meeting her true love and starting her happily ever after.
When the night of the ball finally arrives and Nerine Academy is awash with roses and royalty, Aislynn wants nothing more than to dance the night away, dutifully following the Path that has been laid out for her. She does not intend to stray.
But try as she might, Aislynn has never quite managed to control the magic that burns within her-magic brought on by wicked, terrible desires that threaten the Path she has vowed to take.
After all, it is wrong to want what you do not need. Isn’t it?
Princess Aislynn has long dreamed about attending her Introduction Ball, about dancing with the handsome suitors her adviser has chosen for her, about meeting her true love and starting her happily ever after.
When the night of the ball finally arrives and Nerine Academy is awash with roses and royalty, Aislynn wants nothing more than to dance the night away, dutifully following the Path that has been laid out for her. She does not intend to stray.
But try as she might, Aislynn has never quite managed to control the magic that burns within her-magic brought on by wicked, terrible desires that threaten the Path she has vowed to take.
After all, it is wrong to want what you do not need. Isn’t it?
Nice interview and post. Thanks for the chance; I love fairytales and magic!
ReplyDeleteI love love love the fact that these books are original fairy tales. I cant wait to read this one!! Love Elissa
ReplyDeleteThis is a fairy tale I really want to read. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great interview, thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love fairy tales I always have. This is exciting! Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI loved your first book!!
ReplyDelete