Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week!!

Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release!

We will also be hosting a giveaway of the book we are highlighting!!

Introducing CJ Redwine, YABC's Author of the Week!!

C.J. Redwine is the New York Times bestselling author of THE SHADOW QUEEN, THE WISH GRANTER, and the DEFIANCE series. She adores Harry Potter, Sherlock, most of the shows on the CW, and Batman.

To get sneak peeks, behind the scenes info, giveaways and more, join her fan group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1536518933271462/

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest

Meet The Traitor Prince! 

Javan Najafai, crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at an elite boarding school, far away from his kingdom. But his eagerly awaited return home is cut short when a mysterious imposter takes his place—and no one believes Javan is the true prince.

After barely escaping the imposter’s assassins, Javan is thrown into Maqbara, the kingdom’s most dangerous prison. The only way to gain an audience with the king — and reveal Javan’s identity — is to fight in Maqbara’s yearly tournament. But winning is much harder than acing competitions at school, and soon Javan finds himself beset not just by the terrifying creatures in the arena, but also a band of prisoners allied against him, and even the warden herself.

The only person who can help him is Sajda, who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child, and whose guarded demeanor and powerful right hook keep the prisoners in check. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive — but she has dangerous secrets.

Together, Javan and Sajda have to outwit the vicious warden, outfight the deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan. If they fail, they’ll be trapped in Maqbara for good—and the secret Sajda’s been hiding will bury them both. 

Amazon * B & N * Indiebound

YABC:   What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

The Traitor Prince is based on an old Arabian fairy tale called "The False Prince," which is basically like The Prince and the Pauper if the prince had no choice in the switch and had to compete in a tournament to convince his father the king of his true identity.

YABC:   Who is your favorite character in the book?

I love all my characters, but for this one I have to say Sajda, the heroine. She is complicated, fierce, secretive, and believes she should strike first or risk being destroyed. She's very vulnerable on the inside, but masks it for her own protection. Her journey throughout the book was both heartbreaking and beautiful to write.

YABC:   Which came first, the title or the novel?

Oh the novel, definitely. Titles are almost always the very last thing I put in place.

YABC:   Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

It's important to shut out all the outside voices and just fall in love with the story in your head as you write. And it's important to push yourself and take risks.

YABC:    What do you like most about the cover of the book?

The gorgeous purple sand! (Which matches the gorgeous purple map on the inside!)

YABC:    What was your favorite book in 2017?

Wow, it's hard to pick just one! I guess I have to say One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake. I am obsessed.

YABC:    What’s up next for you?

The next installment in the Ravenspire series (which is a series of companion novels based on fairy tales and can be read in any order) is based on the Cinderella fairy tale, but with some very dark twists. :)

YABC:   Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?

The scene where Sajda realizes Javan is in love with her but can't accept it because she's so convinced that everyone who says they love her ends up leaving. I pulled on my own emotional journey from when I met my husband while we were in college, and it was both painful and ultimately hopeful because I could see the redemption in Sajda's journey before she could.

YABC:   Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?

Revising! I love being able to craft the messy draft into a polished story.

YABC:   What would you say is your superpower?

Sadly, if there's a food-related disaster waiting to happen, I'm the girl who will cause it.

YABC:   Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

Yes! Both Hands is a non-profit organization that does incredible fundraisers with adoptive families to both raise money for the adoption and also help repair and refurbish a widow's home at the same time. We did a fundraiser with them for our first adoption, and we know the head of the organization personally. Both Hands is changing the world one child and one widow at a time.

The Traitor Prince

By: CJ Redwine

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: February 13th, 2018

*GIVEAWAY DETAILS* 

One winner will receive a SIGNED copy of The Traitor Prince (CJ Redwine) ~ (International)

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

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