THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN BLOG TOUR - INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KIMBERLEE ANN BASTIAN & GIVEAWAY

About the Book

Absolute obedience, servitude, neutrality.

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These were the laws that once governed Bartholomew, an immortal soulcatcher, until one ill-fated night when he was forced to make a choice: rebel against his masters or reveal an ancient, dangerous secret.

He chose defiance.

Imprisoned for centuries as punishment for his decision, Bartholomew wastes away—until he creates an opportunity to escape. By a stroke of chance, Bartholomew finds himself in the human world and soon learns that breaking his bonds does not come without a price. Cut off from the grace that once ruled him, he must discover a new magic in 1930s Chicago.

Armed with only a cryptic message to give him direction, Bartholomew desperately tries to resume the mission he had started so long ago. Relying on the unlikely guidance of the streetwise orphan Charlie Reese, Bartholomew must navigate the depressed streets of the City in the Garden. But in order to solve this riddle, he must first discover if choice and fate are one in the same.

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KIMBERLEEE ANN BASTIAN

Hello and welcome, Kimberlee! Let’s start with my first question. THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN is the first instalment of your Element Odysseys saga. What are the main features/themes in your series?

The main features in the series are the historical setting and elements I use to surround my fictitional characters. It was important to me to create a historical fantasy that is set apart from those traditionally thought of, especially those in Europe. Setting it in America during the Depression Era gave me the leeway to use a melting-pot of beliefs, folklore, and myths to create an unique world building mythology, as well as provide a setting that would cater to the plausibility that supernatural elements intereacted with the “real” world. 

Two of the biggest themes of the series deal with the notions of free-will verses destiny, and the honor of keeping ones word.

When and How did your fascination with mythology start?

I was a Disney Kid, through and through, so I have always been facinated by make-believe and fairytales; but I think my love for mythology was fully realized in sixth grade when my class read and studied Homer’s Odyssey.

Time travelling is one of the elements in your saga, especially in this first book.  How difficult is it to write about different time periods, especially past periods. Do you work a lot on research?

It isn’t so much time travel as depicting flashbacks or moving between the “real” historic world where time exists and Euxinus (the supernatural world) where time doesn’t exist. The main storyline itself holds a linear forward pace. And so far, none of my charracters can actually go back in time, although a few can slow/freeze time.  

As for writing about past periods, I found out early on in the process that the 1930s came quite natural to me and it was my goal to get it right, or at least as close to it as possible. I did my homework, extensive research beyond what even made it into the final story, and the more information I gathered it became easier to write. I read countless articles and books as well as viewed a handful of documenteries (Can I just say I adore Ken Burns). I even have a modern map that I used to plot out the scope of Chicago I reference and have visited the exact area. Although, it must be said that one has to use a great deal of imagination as dozens of the buildings within the radius of the story are now deceased.

How would you describe Bartholomew, the protagonist of  THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN? I’ll give you, let’s say,  50 words to do it.

Bartholomew is an immortal, who for his whole existance has served the will of his masters until he breaks their hold on him. He comes into the mortal world a “fish-out-of-water”, and grapples with feelings and autonomy once off limits to him, discovering new truths about free-will, honesty and loyalty. 

Magic is another main ingredient in your novel. Are you particularly interested in the unknown?

Yes, I am. I have always been fascinated by anything and everything fantasical since a very young age. I can’t say what brought it about specifically, but I have always held a fundimental belief that a certain level of magic does exist in our world, we just need to know where to look.

What kind of reader are you, Kimberlee?

Just recently, I learned something about myself; I am an auditory reader. I find it much easier to listen to books now than ever before and I think part of that has something to do with me writing my own novels. I spend a great deal of time at a computer creating, so to read a physical book and be in my head more is not always appealing. However, that is not to say I have abandoned physical books altogether, it just takes me a little longer to read them now. Currently, I’m determined to get through Ron Chernow’s Alexander Hamilton. #babysteps, haha.

What is the best and what is the worst part of being a writer?

The best part of being a writer is having the endless power to create and shape the world. The worst thing is keeping a set writing schedule. Life still happens, so sometimes the schedule needs to be readjested to allow for other things, which means no writing on certain days.  

Would you share with us the three best books you’ve recently read?

 1. Just finished the 25hr juggernaut that is “Empire of Storms” (Throne of Glass 5) by  Sarah J. Maas and it was amazing!
2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - a refreshing zombie-free take on  apocalyptic society
3. “Clockwork Princess” (Infernal Devices 3) by Cassandra Clare
Bonus: Current read I am enjoying is “The Ill-Kept Oath” by C.C. Aune

 

That’s all for now, Kimberlee. Thanks for answering my questions. Can you tell us when book 2 is due to be released?

Kimberlee Ann Bastian

The Breedling and the Trickster; The Element Odysseys : Book Two is set for a June 2017 release, exact date to be announced. Look for the book cover reveal by end of December beginning of January.  

Thank you kindly, Maria Grazia for letting me stop by FLY HIGH! It has been a blast!   

Buy the Book

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble  ~ Author Website

About the author

Kimberlee Ann Bastian has a unique love affair with American nostalgia, mythology, and endless possibilities. This melting pot of elements is what prompted the creation of her epic ELEMENT ODYSSEYS series, starting with the reboot of her debut novel now titled THE BREEDLING AND THE CITY IN THE GARDEN.

When she is not in her writer's room, working her current "day job", or consuming other literary worlds, she enjoys hiking and cycling around the bluffs of your Southeastern MN home and catching up on her favorite pop culture. ​

Connect with the author:  Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~Pinterest  ~ Instagram

Giveaway

Prizes ​

• 8 winners will each get a print or ebook copy of The Breedling & The City in the Garden (print open to USA & Can / ebook open Int’l)
• 1 winner will get the Chicago Swag Box (USA only) Prize contains: Jay’s Potato Chips, Wrigleys Gum, mug, a book on history of Chicago (Then and Now), a magnet and a few other items

Ends Dec 17

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