Two Chicks On Books: Blog Tour- FROSTBLOOD by Elly Blake An Interview & Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for FROSTBLOOD by Elly Blake! I loved this high fantasy this book! I have an interview with Elly to share with you today! And make sure to enter the awesome giveaway for a chance to win the book!!

Haven't heard of FROSTBLOOD? Check it out!

Title: FROSTBLOOD

Author: Elly Blake

Pub. Date: January 10, 2017

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 384

Formats: Hardcover, paperback, eBook, audiobook

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

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon.

All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything.

Now on to the interview!

Hey Elly!! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books it’s awesome to have you here to chat! FROSTBLOOD was freaking AWESOME and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And am so happy that you could stop by for a visit!

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about FROSTBLOOD and the characters?

Seventeen-year old Ruby is a Fireblood, which means she can control and create heat and flame—though she has to hide this ability from the Frostblood ruling class. When soldiers raid her village, her mother is killed, and Ruby lands in prison. A Frostblood monk and a scarred warrior offer her freedom if she agrees to become a key weapon in a rebellion against the Frost King responsible for her mother's death. Arcus, a young man with a mysterious past, helps her train and master her powers, and she finds herself drawn to him despite their many differences.

Do you have a title for book 2 yet? Ooh how about a cover for it?

Oh yes, there are titles for all three books! FIREBLOOD will be published in September 2017. (The cover is online already.) DARKBLOOD comes out in 2018.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

The only character I can think of who reminds me of someone in my real life is Brother Gamut. He has the sweet, gentle nature of my paternal grandmother, who
passed away over 10 years ago.

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

I loved writing Arcus. Writing his banter with Ruby was wicked fun. It was probably hardest writing Captain Drake, the soldier who killed Ruby’s mother, because I didn’t like him.

What is your favorite passage/scene in FROSTBLOOD?

There’s a scene where Ruby confesses her feelings and feels rejected and I love the image of her hot tears hissing as they hit the cold ground. I also really like a scene where one of the main characters cries, and is comforted, near the end. I love moments of intense feeling.

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

I researched life in a medieval monastery when I was writing the scenes set in Forwind Abbey. However, I took liberties and changed some things, such as adding female monks. I also looked up photos of Swedish ice hotels as inspiration when writing about the Frost King’s castle.

Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?

I love a few heroes from classic novels, like Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, Mr. Darcy (of course) from Pride & Prejudice, and Mr. Thornton from North and South. When it comes to YA, I have so many that it’s hard to choose, but I love Arin from the Winner’s Curse series by Marie Rutkoski. I also love Prince Ash from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. But I collect book boyfriends, same as you probably do!

What inspired you to write YA?

I love reading it. It’s kind of a problem at my library job because it’s hard to recommend adult fiction to patrons when I read mostly YA. I love that YA is an umbrella that covers so many different genres, and it’s always pushing boundaries and exploring new territory.

Lightning Round Questions:

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

I’m dying to read my ARC of Caraval by Stephanie Garber (as soon as I finish edits on my second book).

What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?

This is so hard. I went on the Pottermore website four times with four different email addresses (to be sure of the results) and I was sorted into a different house each time. I’ll list them in order in case the first was the most accurate: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw. I think I’m truly a Slyther-Puff. I’m ambitious in some ways, but I’m very loyal. I don’t think I could be a true Slytherin because I never want to hurt anyone, even in pursuit of a goal.

Twitter or Facebook?

Facebook (though I’m on Twitter a fair bit, too)

Favorite Superhero?

Wonder Woman!

Favorite TV show?

I don’t have a favorite because I love too many shows, but if I have to narrow it down:

Drama: Game of Thrones, Sherlock.

Sitcoms: The Mindy Project, New Girl, Brooklyn 99.

Animated: Avatar: Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra

Sweet or Salty?

Sweet! It’s a problem.

Any Phobias?

Claustrophobia. (But it’s not too severe.)

Song you can’t get enough of right now?

I’m out of touch with music lately because I listen to the same album over and over when I write. Currently it’s the soundtrack for the movie Tron: Legacy. Sometimes I listen to the Game of Thrones soundtrack, or Hans Zimmer soundtracks (I like the track Imagine the Fire from The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack.)

2017 Movie you’re most looking forward to?

Wonder Woman!

Thanks so much Elly for answering my questions! I can’t wait for everyone to read FROSTBLOOD!

About Elly:

Elly Blake loves fairy tales, old houses, and owls. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of seemingly random jobs, including project manager, customs clerk, graphic designer, reporter for a local business magazine, and library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and a Siberian Husky mix who definitely shows Frostblood tendencies.

Her work is represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media.