Maria Snyder - Interview & Giveaway

Welcome to the 15th day of Christmahanakwanzika. Today I have a fantastic interview with author of TASTE OF DARKNESS, Maria Snyder. Don't forget to check out the giveaway at the bottom.


Taste of Darkness (Healer #3)
Young Adult Fantasy
Publication Date: December 31, 2013

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.
 

First off, I would like to welcome you to Read it in Houston. It’s an honor having you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming release of TASTE OF DARKNESS.

 

Thank you for inviting me to Read it in Houston. It feels wonderful to be hanging out down south. Texas is one of my favorite places to visit everyone is so friendly and it's a nice break from this cold spell we're having in Pennsylvania.

If you don’t mind answering, what part of Christmahanakwanzika do you celebrate? & what are you most excited for?

 

Our family celebrates Christmas. One of my favorite parts of the holiday is decorating the house with colored lights, a big x-mas tree and my old fashioned ornaments.

In the spirit of giving, if you had a million and one dollars to giveaway to any charity, who would get the check?

 

The National Children Cancer Society - they help children with cancer and are also researching for a cure.

If you could be any character from any book, who would you be and why?

 

I would want to be Lessa in Dragonflight, the first book in the Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne McCaffrey - because she gets to ride a dragon - who doesn't want to ride a dragon? And she also has a telepathic link to the dragon (which is similar to Yelena and Kiki in my Study books).

Do you have any favorite quotes from your novel, TASTE OF DARKNESS?

 

I always have fun with Quain and Loren. They bicker like siblings so this is a favorite quote from TOD:

"Ah, the joys of camping," Quain said. "Waking up in a puddle."
"Yeah, sure it's a puddle," Loren teased.
"Grow up." Quain pulled his hood over his bald head.
"I'm not the one with the puddle."

Is there a message in the series that you want readers to pick-up on?

 

I didn't write the books with a message in mind, but after they were written, I see a bigger theme of helping others. My characters make sacrifices and put other people's needs and safety ahead of their own.

Are you working on anything new at the moment? If so can you share any juicy details about the work?

 

I'm working on a new book in my Study series with Yelena and Valek. The book is going to have both character's point of view and a few sections from Janco's point of view. There will also be flashbacks to Valek's past before he met Yelena. My readers have been bugging me for more Valek and Yelena stories since Fire Study was released in 2008, and the couple short stories that I've written about them just hasn't quenched their thirst :) This book is due out in January 2015, and I don't have a title yet - New Study is my working title, but obviously that won't be the final title.

Happy Christmahanakwanzika! 

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About the Author
Maria Snyder
Meteorologist turned novelist, Maria's been writing fantasy and science fiction since she was bored at work and needed something creative to do. A dozen novels and numerous short stories later, Maria's learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a half-dozen awards, and has earned her MA degree in Writing from Seton Hill University where she's been happily sharing her knowledge with the current crop of MFA students. She also enjoys creating new worlds where horses and swords rule, 'cause let's face it, they're cool, although she's been known to trap her poor characters in a giant metal cube and let them figure out how to get out. 

Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at http://www.MariaVSnyder.com

 

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***Giveaway*** 

One (1) signed copy of TASTE OF DARKNESS

US/CAN only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 23 Days of Christmahanakwanzika

See the schedule here