An interview with the author... A Treason of Thorns by Laura E. Weymouth (Interview & #Giveaway) @The_FFBC


I featured this book a few months back as my pick for one of my most anticipated reads, so
I'm thrilled to be posting a Q&A with the author. Check that out and the tour giveaway below...

A Treason of Thorns
YA Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 352 Pages
September 10th 2019 by HarperTeen

Summary

Violet Sterling has spent the last seven years in exile, longing to return to Burleigh House. One of the six great houses of England, Burleigh’s magic always kept the countryside well. And as a child, this magic kept Violet happy, draping her in flowers while she slept, fashioning secret hiding places for her, and lighting fires on the coldest nights to keep her warm.

Everything shattered, though, when her father committed high treason trying to free Burleigh from the king’s oppressive control. He was killed, and Vi was forced into hiding.

When she’s given a chance to go back, she discovers Burleigh has run wild with grief. Vines and briars are crumbling the walls. Magic that once enriched the surrounding countryside has turned dark and deadly, twisting lush blooms into thorns, poisoning livestock and destroying crops. Burleigh’s very soul is crying out in pain.

Vi would do anything to help, and soon she finds herself walking the same deadly path as her father all those years before. Vi must decide how far she’s willing to go to save her house—before her house destroys everything she’s ever known.

Content warnings are available via the author's website.

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Author Interview

Would you tell us a little more about the main character from A TREASON OF THORNS?

The main character of A Treason of Thorns is Violet Sterling, the dispossessed daughter of a treasonous nobleman, and her family home, Burleigh House. Vi is metaphorically a force of nature—though she has her low moments, she’s untiring in the pursuit of what she thinks is right. Burleigh House is literally a force of nature—as a sentient Great House, it oversees the wellbeing of the countryside, controlling things like weather and crop production.

What one piece of advice would Violet give about living at Burleigh?

Do unto your House as you would have your House do unto you.

What part or aspect of this story do you love the most?

Creating Burleigh. Getting to write a setting that also functions as a character, and to figure out how to convey emotion and intent through things like greenery and weather. I love descriptive writing, so that was a real treat for me!

Did you find anything especially challenging or interesting while researching and writing A TREASON OF THORNS?

It really only comes into the first couple chapters, but I did a lot of research on what the fen country on the east coast of the UK actually looks like, so I could write it convincingly. I spent a lot of time puttering around with maps and on wildlife preserve websites, which for me is always an enjoyable part of the process!

What’s one of your hobbies or something we might not know about you?

Oh man. I feel like my life is more or less an open book on social media! But I can actually embroider really well, I just don’t do it often anymore. Maybe I should take it up again!

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Read widely—across multiple genres and categories—and write with abandon. When you start out, don’t write for the market, or with any intention of publishing what you’re working on. Learn your voice and what you love about the craft. Give yourself time to find your footing as a writer before you set your eye on publication. It will hold you in such good stead, to develop confidence in your authorial voice before you start getting rejections.

What book(s) are you anticipating reading this year?

I’m still SO looking forward to THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD, by London Shah. I got to read a few early drafts of it and can’t wait to get my hands on the finished product!!!! Also THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY, by Alix Harrow, because I’ve got a huge soft spot for portal fantasy.

What are you working on next?

A lot of secret projects 😊

About the Author


Laura Weymouth is a Canadian living in exile in America, and the sixth consecutive generation of her family to immigrate from one country to another. Born and raised in the Niagara region of Ontario, she now lives at the edge of the woods in western New York, along with her husband, two wild-hearted daughters, a spoiled cat, an old soul of a dog, and an indeterminate number of chickens. She is represented by the inimitable Lauren Spieller of TriadaUS.


Tour Schedule
Tour-Wide Giveaway

Win signed copies of Laura E. Weymouth's books: THE LIGHT BETWEEN WORLDS and A TREASON OF THORNS (US/CAN only)

Ends September 24, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Both of Weymouth's books, this one and The Light Between Worlds, are high on my tbr. Are they on yours? What did you think of the interview?

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