A Dream Within A Dream: Forest of Whispers Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Forest of Whispers blog tour! Today I have an interview with the author to share with you - and don't forget to enter the giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, check out the schedule at the bottom of the post!

Forest of Whispers

Author: Jennifer Murgia

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Release Date: September 9, 2014

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Description:

Raised by an old fortune-teller within the dark veil of the Bavarian Black Forest, Rune has learned two valuable lessons: only take from the forest that which you can use, and never, never look anyone in the eye in the village. For something terrible happened in the forest long ago... and now, the whispers of a long-dead mother with a vengeful secret have come haunting.

Forced to flee all she has ever known, Rune soon learns of a legacy she is bound to--one that is drenched in fear, witchcraft and murder--a birthright that stretches beyond the grave to the trees where Rune is no longer safe.

1. What inspired you to write Forest of Whispers?

~ I’ve always had a fondness for witch-themed stories. Besides the fact that my family is German, a long standing rumor is that my great, great grandmother was a witch—sort of created the perfect recipe for creating FOREST OF WHISPERS.

2. Did you have to do any special research for the book?

~ I did and it was so very interesting. I spent hours researching the German language, which is very different in Bavaria, and very different from what is spoken today let alone from the 1600’s. The most amazing piece of information was the fact that European witch hunts originated in southwestern Germany. Most stories or historical accounts are of Salem or England, so it was nice to be able to shed light on the true origin of a very dark and barbaric time—from the Drudenhaus (an actual witch prison), to the torturous instruments used to entice confession . . . which we all know was moot. If you confessed you were a witch, or even if you defended your innocence, it was a death sentence, regardless. Also, I had fun researching the herbs and plants native to the Black Forest for authenticity.

3. What made you want to become an author?

~A third grade Haiku lesson. Go figure.

4. What's your favorite book or the book that's inspired you the most?

~ THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING by Milan Kundera. #deeply profound #braincandy

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

~I do. Seriously, don’t ever stop writing. If it’s your passion, set it free and develop your craft.

6. What's up next for you?

~ The sequel to FOREST OF WHISPERS. It’s called CASTLE OF SIGHS and will release sometime in the fall of 2015. I’m also working on a YA Horror!

Thanks for stopping by and chatting with us today Jennifer!

Jennifer Murgia writes Young Adult paranormal and contemporary fiction.

Her latest novel, FOREST OF WHISPERS, will release September 9, 2014 from Spencer Hill Press.

She is the author of ANGEL STAR, LEMNISCATE & THE BLISS (Lands Atlantic Publishing)
and BETWEEN THESE LINES (Playlist Fiction).

In 2012, Jennifer Co-Founded YA FEST with fellow YA author/friend, Cyn Balog. She coordinates this unique annual festival, bringing teens and fellow Young Adult authors together at her hometown library in Easton PA.