Two Chicks On Books: Blog Tour- UMBERLAND by Wendy Spinale An Interview & Giveaway!

Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for UMBERLAND by Wendy Spinale! I adore Wendy and this series!! If you haven't read them you really should!

I have an interview with Wendy to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!

Haven't heard of UMBERLAND? Check it out!

Title: UMBERLAND

Author: Wendy Spinale

Pub. Date: May 2, 2017

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 288

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

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

What began with a reimagining of Peter Pan and Wendy now twists into a stunning version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass!

Gwen, Pete, and the others have escaped from Everland. But the safe haven they hoped to find at Alnwick Castle doesn't exist. With the Queen of England on her deathbed, Duchess Alyssa has stepped in to lead, but things have gotten worse as the cure Doc created for the Horologia virus has mutated, accelerating the disease. The only possible solution he can think of is to go back to the virus's origin: an extinct poisonous apple.

Legend has it a tree bearing the apple might be found at the center of a deadly labyrinth hidden deep within Germany. A place that no one in their right mind enters. Leaving Pete in charge of the survivors, Alyssa sets out with only her sword, her wits, and the help of Maddox Hadder, a wild boy who oversees the castle gardens. To get to the center of the maze, she'll be forced to battle monsters more terrifying than her darkest nightmares.

But can anyone truly survive the madness of the maze? And what if there's no apple to be found there?

Now on to the interview!

Hi Wendy! First I want to say welcome back to Two Chicks on Books! Umberland was absolutely fantastic 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 give us a recap of what happened in Everland and what we can expect in Umberland?

Everland, a dark, steampunk retelling of the original Peter Pan and Wendy story, takes place in post-war London. A virus has broken out and the only survivors, with a few exceptions, are the children. Pete, Gwen, and an eclectic group of Lost Boys set out to save Gwen’s sister, Joanna, from the ruthless Captain Hook, who believes that a girl might be the one who holds the cure. At the Bloodred Queen’s bidding, he is responsible for the destruction and release of the deadly disease, but the children refuse to die.

Umberland is the hope for those who survived Everland, but it isn’t all that was expected. The disease has mutated, making its victims more animal than human. Alyssa, the Duchess of Alnwick, joins forces with the caretaker of the Poison Garden, Maddox Hadder, to retrieve a forgotten deadly apple thought to be found in the center of a deadly labyrinth. It’s believed this apple might be the cure to the virus.

But our heroes aren’t the only ones looking for it . . .

So Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was your choice this time. Why did you choose it? And why do you love writing retellings?

When I planned the series, I looked for common things in fairy tales I loved. Clocks, airships, Victorian themes, tea parties, London. Both Peter Pan and Wendy and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland had those elements. I did my best to come up with a story that could be inclusive of the elements they had in common. I enjoy fairy tales and retellings because I grew up with them and then I worked with them as a Disneyland actress. They took up more than half my life. It only makes sense to go back to the things I love.

Is this the end for Gwen, Pete, and company? Or will there be more stories? There is one more story in the works. Beyond that . . . only time will tell.

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

This would be where I would say “OMG!!! YES!!!” I worked with some phenomenal people during my time at Disneyland. I played hide and seek with Peter Pan, ate lunch (not tea) with Alice, and had arguments with Captain Hook. And while those characters were so true and brilliant out in the park, behind the scenes, they were unbelievable people and lifetime friends. To this day, they are family and always, always will be. I’m forever indebted to them for their love and support.

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

In Umberland? Jack was an intriguing character to delve into. He’s so complicate in so many levels. I’m still surprised as we journey into book three by his choices. Pete was a hard one to write. I missed the brash, charismatic Pete in Everland. He’s become so jaded in book two. I’m hoping we’ll see him bounce back in book three.

What is your favorite passage/scene in Umberland?

I can’t divulge too much on this question. I will say this: one of my favorite characters doesn't make it out of Umberland alive. I cried writing it. Tried to change it. But ultimately, the story demanded this scene. It’s my favorite because it is someone in the midst of fear, of tyranny, of terror, he rises up and gives everything he has to be sure those he loves lives.

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

I’ve never been to England. So the entire setting of Alnwick, the Poison Garden, Lohr Castle . . . all of it require hours of research, maps, tourism brochures, history behind the cities and castles. Oh, and watching lots of Harry Potter movies. Why? Because Hogwarts was filmed at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England.

What inspired you to write YA?

When I write, it sounds young adult in my head. I blush when it comes to adult themes and I don’t quite get the middle grade. I guess my creativity is stuck in YA.

Lightening Round Questions

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

I’m reading Carval by Stephanie Garber.

Team Cap, Team Iron Man, Team Hulk, Team Black Widow, or Team Thor?

Team Thor. I met him today at the pet store. He’s a fluffy (obese) chinchilla at the pet store. I’m seriously thinking about bringing him home. And, yes, the chinchilla’s name was Thor.

Would you rather live in Neverland or Wonderland?

Not a fair question. Can I buy lakefront property in both lands?

Favorite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory

Sweet or Salty?

Spicy

Any Phobias?

Interview questions J

Song you can’t get enough of right now?

I just discovered a song called “Peter Pan” by Kelsea Ballerini. Seriously, it’s the story of my life.

2017 Movie you’re most looking forward to?

Movies? What are those?

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

About Wendy:

I must admit, I have lived an extraordinary life and will forever be grateful for the opportunities I have had.

I was the middle of three kids, my older brother being deaf for as far back as I can remember. At the time, I didn't realize how much that would later impact my life. I was a sign language interpreter for a short time (although I'm extremely rusty now), taught my kids to sign as infants, and now am using that experience in my current manuscript.

During college I was living in southern California working for Disneyland as a Cast Member in the Entertainment Department. I met my husband there who was also a performer. After four incredible years working with the Mouse, we moved to his hometown in the Bay Area.

I eventually got my Bachelor's in Kinesiology and worked in the fitness industry for ten years before a knee injury ended my career. Not sure what to do with my time, I applied to job posting to be an online journalist. I loved writing, but had no experience. I didn't hear back so I wrote up a review about a local restaurant and sent it to them to prove I could do the job. Twenty-four hours later, I was a journalist with AOL Media/Pleasanton Patch.

I spent three great years with them before cut backs forced me without a job again. That's when I started writing my first novel, which went nowhere. Dozens of rejection letters later. I started a second book. A year later I was offered representation by Thao Le from Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and within another six months I was offered a book deal. EVERLAND (Scholastic) is scheduled to debut Summer of 2016!

Today I live in the Bay Area with my husband and three sons who are my biggest fans. While they're off at work and school, I bounce ideas off my four-legged, furry family members, Odie and Sammy.

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Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of UMBERLAND, US Only.