Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL by Alisha Klapheke! I freaking love this amazing High Fantasy series it's full of interesting characters, killer world-building, and tons of swoons!
I have an interview with Alisha to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!
I have an interview with Alisha to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!
Haven't heard of PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL? Check it out!
Forced into marriage.
Chosen by Fire.
Determined to do what is right.
Seren will do anything to protect her people. Even if it means hiding the body of their dead ruler and telling a lie that could lead her to a brutal end.
As she struggles to accept her role as leader and fails to resist a mercenary she isn’t allowed to love, an army falls on her city. Seren fights to protect her friends—the only family she has left—but her newfound power turns a possible victory in to a storm of chaos.
Now on to the interview!
Hey
Alisha!! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books I’m
glad you could stop by for a chat! PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL is was freaking
AWESOME and I can’t wait for everyone to read it!
For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about the events leading
up to PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL and the characters?
The
main character, Seren, recently had to marry an older man, and let’s just say,
she isn’t real thrilled about the situation. He rules the Empire, but that’s
about all he has going for him. Not that she’d say that out loud. That’s not
her style. As the wife of a powerful ruler, she helps her beloved people in the
little ways she can. Being seventeen and in such a lofty position isn’t easy.
An enemy lurks on the horizon. Seren knows the time approaches when her whiny,
selfish husband will need to somehow defend their people.
So do we have a title for book 3 yet?
I
think it’ll be titled Forests of Silver and Secrets and will feature characters
from Plains of Sand and Steel and also characters from Waters of Salt and Sin,
the first standalone in the Uncommon World series.
Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your
real life?
All
my characters have touches of real life people either from history books or
from my personal life. None are in any way exactly someone I know or have
studied. I’m a little bit like Ona from Plains of Sand and Steel. My friend Rae
Ann told me that and I can’t argue it. I can be a hot head and I speak very
bluntly.
Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least
favorite?
It’s
a tie between Seren and Ona. They are both so fierce and I love them dearly.
What is your favorite passage/scene in PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL?
Oooo
definitely the ocarina scene because it’s swoony!
What kind of research did you have to do for the story?
Research is my total favorite!!! I read through translations of ancient
texts about Spanish and Italian mercenaries. I watched videos about nomadic
lifestyles in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and the Middle East. Because I can’t get
enough, I visited museums featuring art, weapons, and texts from Syria, Israel,
Europe, and Asia. Did I mention research is my favorite? Especially when it
involves traveling the world? :)
Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?
Oh
tacos and tribulations, what a question. You just had to hit me with that. If
I’m forced, Will Herondale. Or Kaz Brekker. Dang it. What about Sturmhond? Can
I just have those three? Come on.
What inspired you to write YA?
I
didn’t plan on it; it’s simply what I read and what I get super excited about.
I guess I’m drawn to the firsts in life and the recklessness of youth (at least
I was reckless anyway).
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 Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor and it is amazing.
What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?
Slytherin
because I relish power and want to take over the world. Or I like green. Not
sure.
Twitter or Facebook?
Hmmm.
Can’t I say Instagram? I’ve only been on IG for a while, but I like it best.
I’m enjoying life @alishaklapheke ;)
Favorite Superhero?
Loki
DUH
Favorite TV show?
Game
of Thrones, Vikings, and Downton Abbey
*cries a little*
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet
and spicy is my ultimate taste choice. I adore spicy mango salsa and eat
entirely too much of it.
Any Phobias?
Spiders.
Sticky things. Tight spaces. Being underestimated.
Song you can’t get enough of
right now?
Soldier
by Fleurie
2017 Movie you’re most looking
forward to?
Oh
tough one. Right now it’s the Guy Ritchie King Arthur movie and the upcoming
Pirates of the Carribean. I ADORE movies!!!!
Thanks
so much Alisha for answering my questions! I can’t
wait for everyone to read PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL!
Thank
you for having me! It was really fun! :)
About Alisha:
Award-winning
author Alisha Klapheke wants to infuse your life with unique magic, far-flung
fantasy settings, and romance. Her inspiration springs from medieval art and
artifacts, the world travel she enjoys with her husband, and the fantasy she
grew up reading when she was supposed to be doing her math homework.
When
she's not writing, Alisha teaches Thai kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and
krav maga at her family's dojo just outside of Nashville. That may be why
writing fight scenes is her favorite.
Kathleen
Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency represents Alisha in all things books.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive signed
paperbacks of WATERS OF SALT & SIN, FEVER, and PLAINS OF SAND & STEEL
& Swag (Stickers & A Signed Map), AND Paperbacks of AIR AWAKENS by
Elise Kova & FIRST YEAR by Rachel E. Carter, US Only.
3 winners will receive eBooks of
WATERS OF SALT AND SIN, FEVER, and PLAINS OF SAND AND STEEL, International.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
6/5/2017- MNBernard Books- Interview
6/8/2017- Bibliobibuli YA- Review
Week Two:
6/14/2017- Booklove- Review
6/15/2017- BookHounds YA- Review
6/16/2017- BookBriefs- Review
Make sure to grab the companion novels in the Uncommon World
Series!
I am really happy to learn about this series. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so interesting! Can't wait to read it! Loved the interview!
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