The time it was about Ontario Teen Book Fest {5}

It that time again: Ontario Teen Book Fest is almost here! And that means it’s time to put the spotlight on one of the authors who will be in attendance.

I basically begged Sara to let me have the two authors I’ll be spotlighting this year.  First up is Mary Pearson.  I think we all know that Mary is one of my favorites and she’s local and she spoils me rotten. But, before we get to all of Mary’s awesomeness, let’s get the details!

Ontario Teen Book Fest is being held on March 3rd from 9 am to 5 pm, is absolutely free, and tickets are not necessary. There will be 21 authors and it’s being held at Colony High School 3850 E. Riverside Drive, Ontario, CA 91761.  The event is being sponsored by Once Upon a Time, with free lunch from Panera Bread, and additional info can be found at the event website.

And now to Mary! Before we get to her interview, let’s check out her upcoming book, Dance of Thieves.

Title: Dance of Thieves
Author: Mary Pearson
Pages: 384
Pub date: August 7th, 2018
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Find it: Macmillan | Indiebound | B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty’s resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.

Sounds good, right?

1. Please give the elevator pitch for Dance of Thieves.

Set six years later in the Remnant Chronicles universe, we meet Jase Ballenger, the young outlaw leader of a powerful dynasty as he crosses paths with Kazi of Brightmist a former thief secretly sent by the queen of Venda to infiltrate the Ballenger fortress. Unforeseen events spiral out of their control throwing them intimately together, and a cat-and-mouse game ensues as they hide dark secrets and lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

2. Which came first: the plot or the characters?

It was a simultaneous sprouting of ideas. When I was researching and writing scenes in The Heart of Betrayal about orphan children on the streets of Venda I wondered about all the ways they survived, including stealing food—like Yvet and Zekiah—even though the punishment for stealing was losing a fingertip. The character of Kazi grew from that. I wondered about the tenacity of a clever child-thief and what it took to survive.

In totally unrelated thoughts about that same time, I mused about the details of some of the other kingdoms and cities in the Remnant world. There were a lot more than just the three great kingdoms. What were those other far-flung worlds like? And how would their versions of history differ from the other kingdoms? (Because they all had different versions!) Would these other kingdoms be able to add more pieces to the puzzle of the Ancient world? Turns out that a little place called Tor’s Watch had a lot of pieces to add—with the added bonus of secrets! Voila, a plot began simmering and Kazi was invited into it

3. Why do you love Jase and Kazi and why should we root for them?

Both are survivors, each underdogs in their own way, and they are loyal to a fault—Jase to his family and responsibilities and Kazi to her queen who gave her a second chance.  I think what I love most about them is they are both tenacious, on opposite sides of a divide, close to ruthless in their determination to get what they want, and yet not so stubborn that they can’t see the needs of the other. They bring out the humanity in each other.

4. Will we be seeing any of the characters from The Remnant Chronicles?

Yes, though they are not major players in the story. But I think the brief glimpses will be . . . satisfying : )

5. What has been your favorite part about writing this new book?

I loved the dynamics between the two main characters—both so very strong-willed and devious. Their first meeting is probably the most opposite of “meet cute” there could be, but the ensuing complications and lies were so wickedly fun to write.

Speed {ish} round:

1. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I let a story simmer long and hard before I begin and have a good idea where it’s going but I have no definite outline. I guess that makes me a plantser.

2. What was your last 5 star read?

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.  *whew*  Still breathless.

3. Is there something you always eat or drink while writing?

Just water and coffee. Boring huh? But sometimes I sneak in an oatmeal cookie in the afternoon. And on really tough writing days, the chocolate in my house mysteriously disappears.

4. What book character would you want to date?

Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone, because, BAD ASS ANGEL.  Do I need to say more?

5. If someone was coming to visit San Diego for one day, where would you suggest they go?

The zoo and the beach! We have the best and there’s time to do both. And Norte in Carlsbad—chicken burritos to die for. Let’s go!

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Mary E. Pearson is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of ten novels.

Her works include her latest trilogy, The Kiss of Deception, The Heart of Betrayal, and The Beauty of Darkness. The Adoration of Jenna Fox, and the other books in the series have been optioned for film, and A Room on Lorelei Street was a Golden Kite Award Winner.  She writes full-time from her home office in California where she lives with her husband.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

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Huge thanks to Sara for putting this all together and inviting me to take part and to Mary for taking the time and giving the best hugs.

If you’re going to the event, use the hashtag #ontariotbf. Keep scrolling to check out the rest of the tour highlighting the authors who will be attending and for the giveaway!

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Blog Tour

Feb 19th

Spotlight on Jennifer Brody – What A Nerd Girl Says
Spotlight on Abdi Nazemian – Read Now Sleep Later

Feb 20th

Spotlight on Anthony Breznican – Starkiller Reads
Spotlight on Lilliam Rivera – Movies Shows and Books

Feb 21th

Spotlight on Jessica Cluess – The Readers Antidote
Spotlight on Cindy Pon – My Fangirl Chronicles

Feb 22th

Spotlight on Keynote Speaker Ellen Hopkins – Germ Magazine

Feb 23th

Spotlight on Aditi Khorana – Nite Lite Book Reviews
Spotlight on Mary Pearson – Adventures of a Book Junkie

Feb 24th

Spotlight on Emily Ziff Griffin – Nite Lite Book Reviews
Spotlight on Brandy Colbert – Read Now Sleep Later

Feb 25th

Spotlight on Keynote Speaker Josephine Angelini – The Readers Antidote

Feb 26th

Spotlight on Isabel Quintero –  What A Nerd Girl Says
Spotlight on Amy Spalding – My Fangirl Chronicles

Feb 27th

Spotlight on Jonathan Maberry – Seeking Bazinga
Spotlight on Keynote Speaker Jeff Garvin – Movies Shows n Books

Feb 28th:

Spotlight on Ava Dellaira – Book Lovers Book Reviews
Spotlight on Kim Turrisi – Starkiller Reads

Mar 1st:

Spotlight on Jessica Brody – Adventures of a Book Junkie

Mar 2nd:

Spotlight on Robin Benway – What A Nerd Girl Says
Spotlight on Lindsey Summers – Seeking Bazinga