Robin Bridges Author Interview

Photo Content from Robin Bridges

By day, Robin Bridges is a mild-mannered writer of fantasy and paranormal fiction for young adults. By night, she is a pediatric nurse. Robin lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband, one soon-to-be teenager, and two slobbery mastiffs. THE GATHERING STORM is her first novel.

      

Was there a defining moment during your youth when you realized you wanted to be a writer? 

When I was in sixth grade, I decided to be a travel writer and write books about Bora Bora. Sadly, I still haven’t been to Bora Bora.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us? 

There’s a picture on Facebook I’ve seen several times that says fairytales don’t just teach us that dragons exist, they teach us that they can be defeated.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author? 

“What’s the worst thing that can happen to your main character? Make sure that happens.” I’ve been abusing my characters ever since.

In your new book; The Unfailing Light (Katerina #2), can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it and why they should read your novel?
The Russian empress has cast a spell on Smolni Institute, in order to protect the young girls from blood-drinking witches and dark faeries. But the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, more dangerous than any creature trying to get in. Katerina is trapped behind the Empress’ magic, cut off from her family as well as from the Empress’ son, George Alexandrovich. And Katerina is hearing dark rumors surrounding her handsome Grand Duke. If you like reading about psychopathic ghosts, moody werewolves, dangerous blood-drinking princes, and brooding mages, I think you’ll enjoy reading The Unfailing Light.

For those who are unfamiliar with Katerina, how would you introduce her? Katerina is a teenager living at the end of a century, where she’s caught between old traditions and new. She dreams of going to medical school, in an age when women aren’t allowed to become doctors. She knows that supposedly mythical creatures like vampires and faeries exist, and tries to keep her friends and family from falling into danger. She also has that pesky bad habit of being able to raise the dead. She tries very hard to keep that a secret.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story? 

I fell in love with the real-life aristocrats of old Imperial Russia and wanted to write my own version of their tale. With monsters.

What do you feel is the most significant change since book one? 

Katerina is starting to accept her powers and use them to help her family and friends.

If you could introduce Katerina to any character from another book, who would it be and why? 

I think Katerina and Kate Grable from Carrie Harris’ BAD TASTE IN BOYS would be really good friends if they met. Both girls want to go to medical school and both know how to deal with the walking dead.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us? 

I just recently turned in copy edits for Katerina #3, THE MORNING STAR, and can’t wait to share the cover with everyone next month! I’m also about to send my agent a new historical fantasy, set in Regency England.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie? 

How much Halloween/Easter/Christmas/Valentine’s Day candy did you eat?

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your readers. What would it be?
Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? 

My daughter. She’s always ready to give me a hug and convince me that going to Starbucks for a Frappuccino will make everything better.

What’s your most missed memory? 

 I really wish I remembered where I put my phone charger.

When and how was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you felt? 

Yesterday and I am really proud of myself. (It was scary!)

When was the last time you cried? 

I cry at the drop of a hat, so it was probably for something silly like a dog food commercial.

What are you most passionate about today? 

Supporting the Red Cross and their efforts in disaster relief. I gave blood today!

What is the one, single food that you would never give up? 

I used to say Diet Coke, but hubby and I are making plans to give it up after the first of the year. Eek.

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.

The second book to Robin Bridges’ Katerina Series, The Unfailing Light, takes the reader back into 1889 Russia following the remarkable life of Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg. Like its predecessor, the tale with instantly captivate readers with Katerina’s special powers as a Necromancer. She once used this power before as she was left with no choice but to use in order to rid of the dark forces in Russia. As she’s about to pursue her dream of attending medical school, she would rather forget that she ever used it. When word got out that the enemy she thought she destroyed is well alive, she’s under imperial orders to remain inside Russia since the empress cast a powerful spell to protect it against vampires and revenants. The enemies are closing in and want nothing but to take over Russia and user Katerina’s power for their own gains. What no one knows is that the spell actually set free a very dangerous vengeful ghost.

New plot lines are laid out for this book and the character development continues to grow. The research author Robin Bridges conducted on Russian folklore tales is absolutely amazing. Several details on the mythology are presented. Robin’s writing style allows enough background information which provided readers with a deep sense of the different type of Russian folklore details. The world-building is truly wonderful and thrilling. Robin starts off the story with some action and new information that eventually matures into a full-blown explosion of surprises at the end. The pacing of the book is done well and the plot line sets up for the final book in this trilogy. The Unfailing Light has all the elements readers have come to like. There are action, mystery, romance, and history. The story is very captivating and the final book is certainly going to possess the same caliber as the first two books.

You can purchase The Unfailing Light at the following Retailers:

    

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you ROBIN BRIDGES for making this giveaway possible.

1 Winner will receive one copy of The Unfailing Light,Bookmark and Sticker by Robin Bridges.
1 Winner will receive one copy of The Gathering Storm, Bookmark and Sticker  by Robin Bridges.

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