Welcome to the next stop on the blog tour for Robin Bridge’s The Unfailing Light (volume two in the Katerina Trilogy)! Today I have an interview with the author as well as a giveaway. Double score! Also, be sure to check out my review (also posted today.)
About the Book:
Lush and opulent, romantic and sinister, The Unfailing Light, Volume II in The Katerina Trilogy, reimagines the lives of Russia’s aristocracy in a fabulously intoxicating and page-turning fantasy.
Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She’s about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia’s arch nemesis–who she thought she’d destroyed–is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She’ll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina’s horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.
Author Interview:
How would you describe The Katerina Trilogy to someone who is not familiar with your books?
In nineteenth century Imperial Russia, young Katerina of Oldenburg hides a dangerous secret: she can raise the dead.
Russia and Russian aristocracy in the late 1800s. Pretty much one of the most fascinating time periods/settings I’ve read. What made you decide to go with this place and time?
My great-grandparents on my mother’s side owned a bakery in Zhitomir, Ukraine. They came to America in 1912, before the Russian revolution. I’ve always been interested in Russian history, from the stories about the bakery and about the family samovar, and I fell in love with the late Imperial period- the years of Faberge and Tchaikovsky and Tolstoy- as well as the old Russian fairy tales. I wondered what life in the late 19th century would have been like if tsars had possessed magical powers like the tsars of the old legends.
I absolutely adored the way you blended historical fiction with a paranormal twist in The Gathering Storm. Was it difficult to work the two together? Where did you get the idea for the paranormal aspects?
From the era itself. The members of the aristocracy were fascinated with the occult. Séances and tarot card readings really were fashionable past times. And the Montenegrin princesses were at the center of those fashionable circles.
If someone is interested in reading more about the history behind The Katerina Trilogy are there any books you would recommend?
I’d suggest Paul Vasili’s BEHIND THE VEIL AT THE RUSSIAN COURT, or a biography of Empress Marie Feodorovna, like Coryne Hall’s LITTLE MOTHER OF RUSSIA.
What part of researching for these books was the most interesting for you?
I found the diaries fascinating as well as the menus that still exist from some of the balls. When reading about the Montenegrin princesses I discovered Elena was a poet in her teenage years and actually published a book of poetry while attending Smolny under the pseudonym, “Blue Butterfly”!
If you were a character in your books what would be the best part of living in that world? The worst?
The best part I think would be dancing at the balls in beautiful ball gowns. The worst I think would probably be the cold. Being a southern girl, I think the novelty of snow would wear off quickly!
I read on your website that you are also a pediatric nurse. I take it that has something to do with Katerina’s interest in medical school! How did your “other” job affect writing Katerina’s story?
I love being a nurse, so Katerina did “inherit” her desire to help sick children from me. And I have a really great schedule. I work weekend nights, and then I’m off all week. I can write in an empty house all day long while the family is at school or work. If only the dogs could go to school or work, then I’d have a completely quiet house all to myself.
If you could have a conversation with any author alive or dead who would you want to meet?
I’d love to have tea with Jane Austen!
If you could spend a day in any historical setting where would you choose?
Just one? I’d love to go to Imperial Russia, or regency England, or medieval France, or ancient Egypt. I think the future would be a cool place to visit too.
Read any good books lately?
Yes! Just finished Corrine Jackson’s IF I LIE, which is fantastic, as is Sarah Rees Brennan’s UNSPOKEN. Also for research, I’m reading the delightful diary of a vicar titled PAUPERS AND PIGKILLERS. Yes, I did pick it up just for the title alone!
Thanks so much Robin! I loved finding out more about what went in to the Katerina Trilogy. Also, I totally agree with the book recommendations (well, except the third one… but only because I haven’t read it!)
Giveaway:
One hardcover copy of The Unfailing Light. US only. Must be 13 or older to win. Use the rafflecopter widget to enter.
Check out the other stops on the blog tour:
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