Today we are chatting with Mercedes Lackey, author of
Briarheart!
Read on for more about Mercedes, her book, and a giveaway!
Meet Mercedes Lackey!
Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her “spare” time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram
Meet Briarheart!
From a beloved fantasy author comes this fresh feminist retelling of Sleeping Beauty about one girl destined for greatness—and the powerful sister ready to protect her by any means necessary.
Miriam may be the daughter of Queen Alethia of Tirendell, but she’s not a princess. She’s the child of Alethia and her previous husband, the King’s Champion, who died fighting for the king, and she has no ambitions to rule. When her new baby sister Aurora, heir to the throne, is born, she’s ecstatic. She adores the baby, who seems perfect in every way. But on the day of Aurora’s christening, an uninvited Dark Fae arrives, prepared to curse her, and Miriam discovers she possesses impossible power.
Soon, Miriam is charged with being trained in both magic and combat to act as chief protector to her sister. But shadowy threats are moving closer and closer to their kingdom, and Miriam’s dark power may not be enough to save everyone she loves, let alone herself.
Amazon * B & N * Indiebound
~ Author Chat ~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I very much enjoy taking fairy tales and making origami cranes out of them. So this time I started with Sleeping Beauty and made it about someone who was not the Princess.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Very much Miriam. Although Cerulan the Dragon is a close second.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel. This wasn’t even the original title, one of my editors picked it.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I love how Miriam solves the problem in the end (telling anything more than that would be a major spoiler).
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
Don’t try to write anything you yourself do not like. It will only disappoint you. I’d be terrible at grimdark, for instance.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
I think the overall design is fantastic and well-balanced.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2022?
Charles de Lint’s. All of them.
YABC: What was your favorite book in 2021?
It wasn’t a new book; I got my hands on the complete Theodore Sturgeon collection and have been reading through all 13 volumes.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
Into the West which is the sequel to Beyond, The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley, Elvenbred, the next Silence book, and Queene of Air and Darkness.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
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YABC: Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
Getting the details of a real court right. It’s not swanning around in gardens listening to minstrels and eating sugared berries.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Getting Miri’s age-voice right.
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
Revising. It’s easier when you have something to work with.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
I can make a cockatoo spin.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
The Alex Foundation run by Irene Pepperberg and the Chloe Foundation for Cockatoos.
Briarheart
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: October 5th, 2021
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
Such a wonderful twist on a classic fairy tale! I can’t wait to read this one!
The cover is gorgeous and retellings are so much fun to read.
The cover is beautiful and powerful. I would love to read this Sleeping Beauty retelling.