Rise of the Sea Witch by Stacey Rourke (Blog Tour Interview & #Giveaway)


I'm welcoming Stacey Rourke to my blog today to answer some questions about her newest book...

Rise of the Sea Witch
by Stacey Rourke
YA Fantasy
Paperback & ebook, ? Pages
June 19th 2017

Summary

Details of the sea witch’s banishment have been exaggerated. The body count that preempted it was not. Once an illustrious princess, her hands and tentacles were stained with the blood of thousands. No one could comprehend how the hooks of madness dragged her down from her life of privilege.

Born Princess Vanessa of Atlantica, the ambitious young royal was one of two children born to the great King Poseidon. She and her brother, Triton, were groomed from birth to rule. Yet only one would ascend that coveted throne. While carefree Triton flits through his training with a cavalier demeanor and beguiling charm, Vanessa’s hunger for her father’s acceptance drives her to push herself to the limits of magic, and combat to become a leader worthy of her people.

When war against the humans ravages their once regal kingdom, political sides are chosen. Factions from the seven seas challenge the existing leadership, pitting Vanessa against her brother in a vicious battle for the crown. Traitors are exposed, dark family secrets revealed, and a once strong sibling bond is strained to its breaking point.

Only when the ink black waters from the ultimate betrayal rescind, will the truth be known of how the villainous sea witch rose with one name on her vengeful lips–Triton.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Interview

Q: What made you want to write a backstory for the sea witch, which we probably envision as Ursula from THE LITTLE MERMAID?

A: I am a Disney Fanatic through and through. One of my favorite films has always been The Little Mermaid. In the movie, Ursula mentions that she was banished from the kingdom, but we are never told why. Rise of the Sea Witch was my own little musing of what led to that betrayal—in my mind at least.

Q: Would you tell us a little bit about Vanessa’s personality and what she looks like?

A: Vanessa is a hard-working mer princess. More than anything she seeks her father’s approval, but finds that is one thing that forever seems to evade her. Despite what readers might think, she’s loving and kind until the capacity to hold on to those emotions is brutally ripped from her. As I wrote Vanessa, I always pictured her as a raven-haired version of the musician Pink. She is gorgeous in a fierce sort of way.

Q: Will we see any of the things we’re familiar with from THE LITTLE MERMAID in your story?

A: Absolutely! Some elements had to be changed of course, to respect Disney property. But this book was written to flow right into The Little Mermaid. Along the way, readers can expect a few familiar characters to pop up.

Q: What is your favorite part of RISE OF THE SEA WITCH?

A: I love seeing how villains become who they are. Anakin Skywalker wasn’t born bad, yet following him on his road to the Vader mask left me breathless. Maleficent was a regal fairy until her wings were stolen from her. It is that same fascination with the pivotal transformation that became my favorite part of Sea Witch. It’s not one thing that pushed Vanessa over the edge, but a soul-crushing series of events that brought forth the rolling tentacles of vengeance.

Q: Do you have any favorite books or movies that have mermaids or other sea creatures?

Do the Pirates of the Caribbean movies count? Not that I am willing to acknowledge they covered mermaids, because that’s the one movie in that series we all need to pretend never happened. But, the other sea beasts, nautical lore, and—of course—the Kraken, I love!

Q: What genre do you normally read and are you reading anything right now?

A: I don’t ever limit myself to genre. If a storyline appeals to me, I am willing to give it a try. I will say romance books normally aren’t my preference though. After hearing all the hype, I just started A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Q: What are you working on next?

A: I have a dystopian book about mutants versus the government that I co-wrote with Tish Thawer releasing in August, called TS901: Anomaly. Coming after that is a vampire book I said I would never write. My muse decided otherwise! That said, it’s a new take on vamps that—I hope, at least—readers haven’t seen before.

About the Author


RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Crane 2015

Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Reel Romance Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$20 Amazon gift card + signed copy of Rise of the Sea Witch

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did! Will you be reading this?

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