The time it was about A Breath of Frost

I read A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey a couple of months ago.  I got it on NetGalley and absolutely loved it.  I mean, witches, magic and Regency London? Yep.  I’m sold.  Then I happened to see Alyxandra on Twitter talking about doing promo and she even quoted Elizabeth Bennet, so I jumped in and asked if she would be available to do an interview.  And she said yes!

But before we get to her answers, let’s check out the book, shall we?

In 1814, three cousins—Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope—discover their family lineage of witchcraft when a binding spell is broken, allowing their individual magical powers to manifest. Now, beyond the manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, an alluring underworld available only to those with power is revealed to the cousins. By claiming their power, the three cousins have accidentally opened the gates to the underworld.

Now ghouls, hellhounds—and most terrifying of all, the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters—are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers. And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders…because she keeps finding the bodies.

Can the cousins seal the gates before another witch is killed…or even worse, before their new gifts are stripped away?

Sounds good, right?

1. Where did the idea of A Breath of Frost come from?

I love Pride and Prejudice and I really love magical stories…the thought of putting them both together just made me really happy. Plus I could watch P&P all day long and call it ‘working’. What’s not to love?

2. I know why I love Emma and Cormac.  Why do you love them and why should we root for them?

Emma is a little more subdued than her cousins, until you get her good and riled. She’s strong and funny and doesn’t mope about feeling sorry for herself. Cormac is witty and handsome and doesn’t take himself too seriously. I really enjoyed throwing them at each other to see who would get the last jab!

3. What was the weirdest thing you googled while researching?

I google so many weird things I sometimes worry about what my computer history looks like! Googling hellhounds and headless horsemen on the same day as the proper curtsy for a girl in 1814 probably looks especially weird.

4. Describe A Breath of Frost in 5 words.

Magic girls kicking magic ass!

5. Can you tell us anything about book 2?

Book 2 is called Whisper the Dead (right now, that’s a working title and it’s rare my titles get used) focuses on Gretchen adapting with the rules of magical society  ie: not well.

Speed [ish] round:

1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time.  What happens next?

I did a weird bunny hop dance.  All the way down the drive to the barn to tell my husband.

2. What three things would you take with you to a desert island?

Book, water something very shiny with which to signal for help. That or my magic gingerbread latte machine that runs on sand.

3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life.  What is it?

Are you trying to scare me?? One book? Argh. Um. Blar–that’s the sound of my eyeballs rolling around in my head ;) It’s a toss up between Terri Windling’s The Wood Wife and Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

4. Who are your favorite swoony boys?

So many. So so many. My very first swoony boy crush was on Michael Praed in ‘Robin of Sherwood’ which started a series obsession with Robin Hood. Right now… Tim Mison from Sleepy Hollow. And Mr. Darcy of course.

5. Are there any authors that you fangirl over?

Again so many! Laini Taylor, Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, Mary Oliver, Eloisa James…

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Huge thanks to Alyxandra for taking the time! Make sure you’re following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page, subscribing to her blog and adding all of her books to your GoodReads shelf.

Now.  Haven’t had a chance to pick up A Breath of Frost? I’ve got an e-copy up for grabs.  Contest is international, winner will get to choose from Kindle or Nook copy.  Rules for the giveaway are listed here as well as on the Rafflecopter widget.

**Good Luck!!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway