Blog Tour- THE SKYLIGHTER by Becky Wallace An Interview & Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on blog tour for THE SKYLIGHTER by Becky Wallace! I freaking LOVED this series!!! I have an interview with Becky to share with you today! And make sure to enter the awesome giveaway for a finished copy of the book! 

Haven't heard of THE SKYLIGHTER? Check it out!

Title: THE SKYLIGHTER

Author: Becky Wallace

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Pages: 432

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Johanna and Rafi are in a race against time to save their country before a power-mad Keeper destroys everything they hold dear in the “enthralling magical world” (Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles) introduced in The Storyspinner.

As the last of the royal line, Johanna is the only person who can heal a magical breach in the wall that separates her kingdom of Santarem from the land of the Keepers, legendary men and women who wield elemental magic. The barrier protects Santarem from those Keepers who might try to take power over mere humans…Keepers who are determined to stop Johanna and seize the wall’s power for themselves.

And they’re not the only ones. As the duchys of Santarem descend into war over the throne, Johanna relies more than ever on the advice of her handsome companion, Lord Rafael DeSilva. But Rafi is a duke too, and his people come first. As their friendship progresses into the beginnings of a tender relationship, Johanna must wonder: is Rafi looking out for her happiness, or does he want the throne for himself?

With war on the horizon, Johanna and Rafi dodge treacherous dukes and Keeper assassins as they race to through the countryside, determined to strengthen the wall before it’s too late…even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world. 

Now on to the interview!

Hi Becky! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books! I freaking LOVED THE KEEPER’S CHRONICLES and I know my readers will as well and am so happy that you could stop by for a visit!

For the readers: can you recap where we left off after THE STORYSPINNER and what we can expect from THE SKYLIGHTER?

THE SKYLIGHTER picks up right where THE STORYSPINNER left off.  Here’s my short summary:

War is coming.

The magical wall that protects Santarem is falling.

Johanna and Rafi must defeat treacherous dukes and dodge magic-wielding assassins to save their people from slavery and destruction…

Even if it means sacrificing their happiness for the sake of their world.

DUN, DUN, DUNNNNN!

Okay, the last line is not part of my official summary. I just like the way it sounds.

So…. What are you writing now??? Please say a story from Dom’s POV!

I would LOVE to say that I’m writing Dom’s story, but whether that story gets picked up depends on how well SKYLIGHTER is received! *crosses fingers*

But other than that, I’m working on another fantasy in a totally different world. It’s a much closer story than my duology, focusing on only two characters and the dangerous appeal of magic and power.

Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

Dom is my favorite character to write because he’s so FUN. I’d love to hang out with him in real life because beyond the good looks, wit, and charm, he’s passionate and caring. Also, easy on the eyes. Did I mention that?

I don’t have a least favorite, but the hardest character to write in SKYLIGHTER was Pira. Oh, the stuff I put her through…*cringe* Trust me, you’ll totally understand when you read chapters 45 and 46. I’m sorry, Pira!  

What is your favorite passage/scene in THE SKYLIGHTER?

I love the Inn Scene because…

Yes. That.

I also love Rafi-the-Warrior scene.  You don’t get to see him in action very much in THE STORYSPINNER, but you get a lot more sword-wielding, butt-kicking, gauntlet-throwing moments in THE SKYLIGHTER. Also, he wears this painfully ugly little shirt, which I find hilarious. He manages to be a total Bad A while wearing a multi-colored sheep shirt.

Sheep Shirt. Say it with me. It gets funnier with repetition.

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

I learned a LOT about European influence on South America, specifically northern Brazil. The colonization by both the Portuguese and the Dutch really changed the culture, architecture, language, and food. I grounded the world of Santarem in that era, and it’s beautiful in my head!  Here’s one of the pictures that inspired me:

Photo credit: Jennifer Chen

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

I’m currently reading Lee Kelly’s A CRIMINAL MAGIC. I love the fantastical twist on the prohibition era and mobster magicians!! 

I’m looking forward to Victoria Schwab’s A GATHERING OF SHADOWS. It’s on my kindle right now, but I can’t open it until I finish the draft of my current project.  It’s good motivation! ;)

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?

Gavriel Duval from Robin LaFevers GRAVE MERCY. I’ve read dozens of EXCELLENT YA books since GRAVE MERCY released, but none of the love interests affected me like Duval. The scene where he comes into Ismae’s room and is sitting on the floor beside her bed, and she’s trying to decide if she should reach out and touch him or not??? Yes, please. More of that. Forever.

What inspired you to write YA?

I have four small children, and I write for them and the teenagers they’ll become! I believe books teach us empathy and inspire our imaginations. I hope my children will look at the world with open hearts, and seek EVERYONE’S backstory before making a judgement. And if they can’t learn or understand why people do or believe a certain way, I hope my children will create a backstory that allows them to see every person in the kindest light.

Lightening Round Questions

Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter.

If the sorting hat were to place you into a house at Hogwarts which house would you be put in?

Hufflepuff. Niceness can be a curse.

Favorite Superhero?

Captain America because Chris Evans.

Favorite TV show?

So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing with the Stars! 

Sweet or Salty?

Sweet

Any Phobias?

The list is long: heights, naturally occurring holes (trypophobia), small caves and tunnels (not really claustrophobia because it’s only caves and tunnels…weird, I know), water that I can’t see through (just because you can’t see the shark doesn’t mean it’s not there), and cluttered counters.

Song you can’t get enough of right now?

I find myself listening to Shawn Mendez’s Stitches a lot…which I find painfully embarrassing to admit for some reason.

Upcoming Movie you’re most looking forward to?

The new Jason Bourne Movie! Did y’all see the Superbowl Commercial? I rewound the game and watched it twice. SO GOOD.

Thanks so much Becky for answering my questions! 

About Becky:

In second grade, Becky Wallace had to sit in the corner because she refused to write anything besides princess stories and fairy tales (and because she talked too much). Her time in isolation gave her plenty of opportunities to dream up the fantasy worlds she's been dabbling with ever since. She was lucky enough to find her own, real-life prince charming. They have four munchkins and live in a happy little town outside Houston, Texas.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

5 winners will receive autographed SETS of STORYSPINNER and SKYLIGHTER with swag, US Only.

10 will receive swag sets, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/14/2016- Once Upon A Twilight- Interview

3/15/2016- Jessabella Reads- Review

3/16/2016- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

3/17/2016- Take Me Away To A Great Read- Review

3/18/2016- a GREAT read- Interview

Week Two:

3/21/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

3/22/2016- Supernatural Snark- Guest Post

3/23/2016- Wishful Endings- Review

3/24/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

3/25/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

Start where it all began!