Fangtastic Books: Interview and Giveaway: Whisper the Dead by Alyxandra Harvey

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

I love historical fantasy. I love taking a particular time period like the Regency and introducing magic and goblins and curses. It’s especially fun to give women who had very little personal autonomy in 1816 an extra secret weapon. Maybe Gretchen still can’t own property or control her own finances—but at least she can set fire to the rug with a spell or release goblins into Mayfair.

And I love research and finding out new strange little details about life in Regency London—some are as odd as the goblins.

Rewatching Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility for atmosphere and pretty costumes is also never a hardship.

And do I have to say it?

Mr. Darcy

What is it about the paranormal that fascinates you so much?

I love the mystery of it, the unexpected turn-your-world-upside quality, and the desperately beautiful imagery. And frankly, if the girl turns into a monster, it’s just more fun.

Please tell us about your latest release.

Whisper the Dead is the second book in the Lovegrove Legacy which revolves around three cousins, Emma, Gretchen and Penelope, and their discovery that they are witches.

In this part of the story, Gretchen is struggling with her newfound gift as a Whisperer; the constant buzzing in her ears from detecting spells is more frustrating than fun, especially when she is spending time with one of the Order of Iron Nail’s Keepers, the icy but strikingly handsome Tobias Lawless. But while Gretchen tries to hide the truth and resolve her feelings for him, London fades from beautiful and bustling to deathly silent …Something evil is once again menacing Mayfair, and Gretchen and her cousins must use their powers to prevent a horrible sacrifice.

Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

Characters usually pop into my head and they are not shy about jostling for space.

As I percolate the book, they come into focus.

There are usually character-related songs on a musical playlist for the story, a Pinterest board for images, and occasionally mini-book trailers that never see the light of day but help me get to know them better.

I will also create mini collages in my working notebook, mostly images and colours and anything that “feels” like the character. This is more symbolic than anything else.

The Lovegrove Legacy Pinterest board is here: http://www.pinterest.com/alyxharvey/the-lovegrove-legacyby-alyxandra-harvey/

Do you write in different genres?

I write mostly paranormal… vampires in The Drake Chronicles, Victorian ghosts in Haunting Violet, and magical Regency London in The Lovegrove Legacy.

Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?

The supernatural aspects to my stories tend to tie them together, but I really enjoying being able to move from a modern setting to a historical (ish) one. And my current work-in-progress is futuristic!

What was the last amazing book you read?

I am currently reading the last book in the Shadow and Bone (Grisha) trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. I love the fantasy and the historical slant and the writing. And I recently finished the Under the Never Sky trilogy by Veronica Rossi which I also loved! Futuristic world with strong interesting characters, yum.

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

I will read anywhere, at any time, with whatever tiny light I can find. I do rather love sitting by a campfire with a good book and my dogs sleeping peacefully. But seriously I’d read upside in a tree if it was the only way.

Where can readers find you on the web?

Readers can find me at www.alyxandraharvey.com

I am also on twitter: www.twitter.com/AlyxandraH

and tumblr: http://alyxandraharvey.tumblr.com/

and Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/alyxharvey/

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

The Lovegrove Legacy: Whisper the Dead

Gretchen was on her way to the Worthing musicale when her head exploded.

She finally knew exactly what a ripe melon felt like when it burst open. Frankly, it was knowledge she could have done without.

She’d told her chaperone, Emma’s Aunt Mildred, that she was leaving for Lady Worthing’s annual musicale from the Rowanstone Academy, she’d told the school she was leaving from home, and she’d avoided her mother altogether. All to snatch a few minutes alone without a hovering chaperone or a lady’s maid who would tattle her every deed to her parents. Gretchen had fancied herself rather clever at subterfuge. But now, clearly as a punishment for lying, her head was exploding.

And it still wouldn’t excuse her from another tedious evening, more’s the pity.

Magic burned inside her like embers, just waiting to catch. But instead of doing something exciting with it, she was on her way to an event where young ladies were expected to sing and perform for young eligible men of the aristocracy dragged there by their own mothers. And before that, she’d attended three balls, the opera, the theatre, and two supper parties. She’d danced the quadrille with a perfectly polite peer’s son, curtsied at duchesses, and had only hidden in the library twice.

A girl could only take so much.

Whisper the Dead

The Lovegrove Legacy

Book Two

Alyxandra Harvey

Genre: YA, YA historical paranormal, witches

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Date of Publication: Oct 7,2014

Word Count: 100 000

Book Description:

Gretchen is struggling with her newfound gift as a Whisperer; the constant buzzing in her ears from detecting spells is more frustrating than fun, especially when she is spending time with one of the Order of Iron Nail’s Keepers, the icy but strikingly handsome Tobias Lawless.

But while Gretchen tries to hide the truth and resolve her feelings for him, London fades from beautiful and bustling to deathly silent …Something evil is once again menacing Mayfair, and Gretchen and her cousins must use their powers to prevent a horrible sacrifice

Available at Amazon

About the Author:

Alyxandra Harvey lives in a stone Victorian house in Ontario, Canada with a few resident ghosts who are allowed to stay as long as they keep company manners. She loves medieval dresses, used to be able to recite all of The Lady of Shalott by Tennyson, and has been accused, more than once, of being born in the wrong century. She believes this to be mostly true except for the fact that she really likes running water, women’s rights, and ice cream.

www.alyxandraharvey.com

www.twitter.com/AlyxandraH

https://www.facebook.com/AlyxandraHarvey

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