Book Blitzes/Promo Posts

An Interview with authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, plus a giveaway!

A little background for this post, because my fangirl tendencies demand I tell you why I love these books. First off, Fantasy is/has been/will always be my favorite of all genres. I adore getting swept away in a good story. That being said, my the first books I fell in love with when I discovered this genre were the Dragonlance series books. Fantasy fans will know what I’m talking about. They were epic, and plentiful.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman always stood out as authors in that series. Every book that they penned together was fabulous! I was smitten. So imagine how I felt when I was approached to not only read their newest book, but host an interview with them as well! I nearly fainted. I digress. Here’s the book to speak for itself.

Skylan Ivorson is the gods-chosen Chief of all Vindras clans. But the gods from whom the Vindrasi draw their earthdwelling power are besieged by a new generation of gods who are challenging them for the powers of creation. The only way to stop these brash interlopers lies within the Five Bones of the Vektia Dragon—the primal dragon forged during the creation of the world—which have been lost for generations.

With the Gods of the New Dawn amassing a vast army, Skylan finds allies in former enemies. Calling upon the ogres to fight their common foes, the Vindrasi soon find themselves in the middle of an even larger war. Skylan and his Vindrasi clan must sail the Sea of Tears into the heart of the Forbidden Empire of the Cyclops, to implement a cunning yet delicate plan that risks his life and leadership at every corner. But a new enemy lies deep in the sea, one who draws upon powers never harnessed by land dwellers.

If you enjoy Fantasy you must start this series, but I’ll stop babbling and let these two amazing authors take it away. Make sure you read to the bottom. There’s a giveaway waiting for you there!
———————————————————————————————————-

1) If you could transport yourself to any fictional land, where would you want to visit?

(TH) Most fictional lands are pretty frightful … places where dragons rage or terrible epic battles are taking place. Not the best of places to spend one’s leisure time! If there is one place I would like to visit, it would be a little village called ‘Eventide’ in our fantasy world of ‘Dragon’s Bard.’ We specifically wrote that as the kind of place one would like to visit with people you would like to meet.
(MW) The world of Aeronne, which features in my new series, Dragon Brigade, I’m doing for Tor along with co-author Robert Krammes. This is a world of floating continents, magic in the very air you breathe, wyvern-drawn carriages, soldiers on dragon-back, saints, demons flying on giant bats, castles drifting in the clouds.
2) Do you have a favorite character, from your fantasy worlds or elsewhere?
(TH) I have many favorite characters characters but each of them for different reasons. One of the spookiest, for example, is Miss Havisham from Charles Dicken’s ‘Great Expectations.’ I very much enjoyed writing Harley Quinn for my ‘Wayne of Gotham’ Batman novel. My favorite character, I believe, is also from ‘Eventide’ –Beulandrius Dudgeon, the blacksmith dwarf who secretly wants to dance.
(MW) Oh, so many! Lady Maigrey from Star of the Guardians, Raistlin and Tasselhoff from Dragonlance, Skylan from the Dragonships series, Father Jacob Northrop from the Dragon Brigade.
3) What is your favorite part about being an author?
(TH) My favorite part about being an author is sharing the creation of story with readers. Writers may create the script but it is the reader who actually provides the performance. I love being part of that creative experience for every reader.
(MW) I get to leave this world for a few hours every day and spend that time in a fantastical place. (Also I get to work at home with my dogs!:))
4) Who or what provides your inspiration?
(TH) I get my inspiration from many sources. I love to read and I love to go to movies. I also love life and the experience that it brings, both good and bad. I also find much inspiration from my faith.
(MW) Life provides inspiration.

———————————————————————————————————–
A huge thank you to Tor, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman for providing this interview!
I can’t say enough how wonderful it was to get to know more about two of my favorite authors.
Now, it’s time for a giveaway!
Up for grabs are 3, yes three, copies of Rage of the Dragon. The publisher has been extremely generous, and I’m pleased that I can offer so many of you the opportunity to read this book!
To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You must have a mailing address in the U.S. or Canada to enter! A winner will be chosen on May 30, 2012. Good luck!