Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
I have been showcasing quite a few Swoon Reads authors since I started hosting for Xpresso Book Tours – this is wicked lovely as I first came to recognise Swoon Reads when a fellow book blogger first told me about her appreciation for reading their stories. She’s since left the book blogosphere and opted to return to University; however, it always struck me that at some point in my readerly life, I ought to start to pick up the stories being published by Swoon Reads. Hence why you’ve seen an influx of authors by this publisher arriving on Jorie Loves A Story via guest author features like today’s interview with Ms Anstey!
As you might be aware as a regular visitor to Jorie Loves A Story, I have a particular penchant for two things: Jane Austen (with a particularly keen interest on after canon sequels or continuations by those writers who honour the original canon) and Historical Mysteries! On the latter, there is something dearly interesting about curling into a mystery set in the historic past wherein you not only get the impressions of a past generation and setting but you are privy to a different set of sleuthing techniques shown by the lead characters who are trying to solve the crime!!
I have become most encouraged this year finding there are quite a number of *Swoon Reads!* releases I would love to be reading – thereby, I’ve been increasing my purchase requests at my local library this Spring to become inclusive of the titles I’ve been spotlighting on behalf of the authors I’ve been interviewing! If you were curious about what was inclusive of this particular release – if it is considered Cosy Historical *or!* Hard-Boiled Suspense, I believe you’ll delight in the responses the author gave me as she truly gave us a lovely introduction to her novel ahead of reading it!
If this is your first visit to my blog – guest features & convos are best accompanied with your favourite cuppa & brew – where you can settle in, enjoy the feature and stay a spell visiting with me and my guest author. May this new release have a plotting which will tempt your readerly heart as much as it has mine.
The Hummingbird Dagger
by Cindy Anstey
From the author of Suitors and Sabotage comes a suspenseful and enthralling new Regency novel, perfect for readers who like their Jane Austen classics with a side of mystery and murder.
1833. A near-fatal carriage accident has deposited an unconscious young woman on the doorstep of Hardwick Manor and into the care of young Lord James Ellerby. But when she finally awakens, it is with no memory of who she is or where she came from.
Beth, as she calls herself, has no identity; the only clue to her circumstances is a recurring nightmare of a hummingbird, blood dripping from its steel beak.
With the help of James and his sister, Caroline, Beth tries to solve the mystery of her own identity and the appalling events that brought her to their door. But nothing could prepare her for the escalating dangers that threaten her and the Ellerby clan. From the hazardous cliffs of Dorset to the hostile streets of London, Beth will fight to reclaim her past, hunted by a secretive foe with murderous intentions.
Fans of Cindy Anstey’s previous novels won’t want to miss The Hummingbird Dagger, a dark and twisty new offering that blends romance, danger and mystery.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9781250174895
Published by Feiwel & Friends, Swoon Reads
on 16th April, 2019
Published by: Swoon Reads (@SwoonReads)
a publishing subsidiary of Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan
Formats available: Hardback and Ebook
Converse on Twitter via: #YALit & #HistFic with #Novel19s
as well as #HummingbirdDagger + #HistoricalMystery
Brew your favourite cuppa & enjoy this Wickedly Lovely Convo:
What first attracted you to seek out Swoon Reads and as you have multiple releases by them what can you share about your experiences as a writer and the process towards publication? What were your favourite moments as each of your stories were accepted? What was the most challenging part of the process, too?
Anstey responds: I was attracted to the Swoon Reads website by the unusual concept of reader critiques. I thought it would be an excellent learning tool, if nothing else. I prepared for an onslaught of negative reviews but they never came. I have found the readers, writers and editors alike: very kind, supportive and encouraging.
The journey from my first writing attempt until publication was long and convoluted. But every moment spent in front of the computer (hours/weeks/months/years!) became a chance to learn the craft and hone my voice. The most important lesson I learned was to enjoy the characters, the timeframe, the historic details and, yes, even the villainous villains. If I weren’t interested in the story, characters and the setting, no one else would be either.
My sense of excitement and wonder repeats every time I am told that a manuscript is going to be published. I do not assume that having been previously published, I will be published again ad infinitum. I often celebrate by taking a drive to the public gardens or visiting my favourite ocean beach. The dog appreciates these days too.
My biggest challenge in the publishing process is the ‘launch’ when I am required to stand up in front of people and give a spiel about the book. My brain and the ability to talk coherently disappear.
I love how you are wicked excited for the journey you’ve taken as a writer but also, how each new story you’ve written provides you with a lot of joy as a writer! I can relate to how you’ve described the ‘living in’ your story aspect of the creative process – we spend such a considerable amount of time fuelling our world with the realistic edging of having readers feel as if they can step through that threshold as if they could reside within it themselves is the best part of the creative process I think as it means we’ve made the transition between fiction and reality. I love reading for this reason – for feeling as if I can disappear into a story and live there for a spell – to give that experience to a reader on behalf of one of my own stories is one of my biggest goals as a writer.
I think it is healthy and positive to remain humble – as writers, we never know which of our stories are going to be the ones which touch another person’s heart or imagination nor as you said, which one will make it through to publication. I believe you have the right attitude and approach.
As your signature style endeavours to tie together the quirkiness of Jane Austen’s 19th Century with the fascinating world of Historical Mysteries – what first inspired you to make a bridge between these two worlds of literature?
Anstey responds: There was never any conscious thought to tie the two together, no planned strategy. I simply wrote what I wanted to read. I loved, and still do, mysteries, histories and romances. My favourite books within those categories were those that didn’t take themselves too seriously, adding humour either through the characters or the situations. It was something I wanted to emulate….and so, my style was born. *dramatic drum roll*
Ooh my yes! This is the best reply as if we weren’t writing the stories which perked an interest inside our own hearts to tell, than what would be the point to writing anything at all? I follow a very organic method of writing myself – I let the story, world and characters speak to me and I love seeking out where those thoughts lead me as I move further into the development process.
Being an avid writer of mysteries – which kinds of mysteries (or suspense, thrillers) do you like to read when you’re not developing your own? When did you come to appreciate this genre and what fascinates you the most by it?
Anstey responds: I have always loved mysteries, fair play mysteries (in which the reader is given clues at the same time as the investigator). I love trying to guess the who of a whodunit. I read contemporary and historical mysteries but rarely police procedurals — I toss a book across the room if it is too graphic (literally). I am also a romantic; I have a happy, solid marriage and enjoy bestowing the same on my characters. Add to all of this, my great appreciation for the past, and it’s almost a given that I would write historical, romantic mysteries with a touch of humour. Humour because life is too serious to take seriously.
This is what I *love!* most about Mysteries – how you can sort out the details in-line with the sleuths (though of course, there are times I read the ones where there is a disadvantage to the reader but it are equally as thrilling to read due to how the writer approach the story) and there is a considerable amount of joy in seeing how the writer crafts the whole plot together. I love seeing how the writer moves through the story, how they enable us to identify with their lead characters but also, how we find ourselves wrapped so tightly into their vision of the mystery itself. I am positively addicted to reading Mysteries, Suspense and Thrillers for this reason!
The main police procedural I fell in love with are the #KayHunter series – in audiobook format, as I’ve been blessed to be on the blog tours for the series itself as each new audiobook released. I can only say that those stories arrived at a point in my life where I needed the distraction and the heart of Kay Hunter to alight in my life. They are on the upper edge of what I can handle in regards to graphic depictions – as Amphlett holds back quite a bit but also shares a bit more than others as well. If your familiar with NCIS, sometimes she’s on par with the series descriptively and other times she’s a bit lighter.
Starting a story off by a woman who holds no memory had to be a difficult plotting to work through – what did you hope readers might see in Beth initially which might reveal a part of who she is once her identity is fully known? Was it hard to keep this aspect of her life sheltered from the reader POV?
Anstey responds: Upon awakening, Beth, even without her memories, demonstrates her personality through her ability to reason, her respectful attitude, her interactions with various people and her affinity to animals. It wasn’t hard in the least; it was fun. I discovered the art of the near reveal—explaining a lot but not everything. Yes, definitely fun. I could hear the dramatic pause in the back of my head.
For new readers to your collective works how dark and twisty do your stories take readers? Would you consider your stories on the cosy side of the ledger or more hard-boiled to where there is a bit of grit inside the depictions of where the crimes are followed?
Anstey responds: My Regency mysteries are definitely lighter–cosy-ish—with more overt character humour. The Hummingbird Dagger, however, is darker with a bit of grit, as you say. The consequences of failure are dire, people we like are murdered and the possibility of a happy ending hangs by a thread.
I felt this might be on the upper edge of what I normally would read but it is how you approached the crafting of the story I felt I could handle the content. Not to mention, all the lovely disclosures you’ve given to introduce myself and my readers to your story through this interview gave me even more hope and confidence I could read the story! Bless you for that!
When it comes to the cover art for “The Hummingbird Dagger” how much influence and input did you have on the artwork and how did you feel it reflected the heart of your characters and the story they were going to tell? As I noticed that the dagger was being held by someone I hadn’t suspected might wield it.
Anstey responds: I would love to take even a tiny piece of the credit for The Hummingbird Dagger cover because I absolutely love the way it turned out. However, the credit sits entirely on the shoulders of Rich Deas. I made a few suggestions, described the main characters and The Hummingbird Dagger and Rich took the cover in a darker more mysterious direction. It’s wonderful!
Do you have a favourite turn of phrase or quotation from the story you’d like to share? And why it is a favourite?
Anstey responds: There are many aspects of the story that I would enjoy quoting; usually they are humorous, show a facet of one of the characters or are terrifying—suspenseful. The following quote demonstrates each of the brother’s personalities and the way they relate to one another: one brother feeling self-important, and the other teasing about the pretentiousness.
As if on cue, Walter entered the room with an affected gait
— implicit grandeur with a hint of military posturing.
“Are you all right, brother dear?” James asked. “You seem to be limping.”
What did you enjoy the most about writing this mystery – the plotting of the mystery behind the mysterious stranger or the crafting of the nefarious circumstances surrounding her? What can you share about the process to bring this to life?
Anstey responds: I love all aspects of writing; from the plotting and character development to sitting down, “butt in chair”, pounding out the pages. I even enjoy the changes of each story—for no matter how much I plan, the characters always take their story in a different direction.
I begin the process with far more information than ever makes it into the book—such as when my characters are born and their favourite colors. It helps give the characters substance; brings them alive in my mind. Then, I find pictures and assign them to my characters so that I always describe them the same way — I do the same with settings, particularly the manor houses.
I do as well – there isn’t any aspect of the writing process I am not in love with myself and just being able to get the bones of a story down on paper is one of the most beautiful experiences, I think!
If you could pick a favourite supporting character who would it be and why?
Anstey responds: Without a doubt, my favourite supporting character in The Hummingbird Dagger is Walter Ellerby. His effusive personality is the perfect foil against James’ calm thoughtful manner. Walter is full of energy and anger, drama and self-importance…he is also fourteen and all but abandoned by his mother. He resents his brother’s authority and yet wishes to impress him. Contrary emotions all around—Walter was fun to write.
Who is your least favourite character in the story but one which you had fun creating nonetheless?
Anstey responds: The villain (I’m purposefully not naming said villain) was a despicable person. Their motives were entirely self-serving and they had no compunction about killing anyone who got in the way—this of course them a very dangerous foe. I am very fortunate to have no one of this ilk in my life, and therefore I could enjoy the nastiness (knowing that he gets they get their comeuppance) and the evil that this person exudes. I could take it over the top…and I did!
What can you reveal about the setting of where this story takes place and how did you bring it to life? What nuances of its setting are you hoping readers will pick up on as they read?
Anstey responds: There are two major settings in The Hummingbird Dagger: London and South-western England in the fictional town of Wellford Mills. Fortunately, I have traveled to England and have a great sense of the place, having stood on its shores—breathed the air, listened to the birds and ignored the sounds of traffic (this is, of course, in the countryside—one can’t ignore the traffic in London). I visited various historic houses, walked through their gardens and toured their stables. The settings in my books affirm that life was not all that different from the here and now, technological advances aside. People worked, fell in love, married and had children. Younger brothers were annoying and everyone was doing the best they could.
What is your favourite part of pooling together the pieces of a mystery your writing? As I would imagine it takes some considerable thought to make sure each of the layers are meshing well together – what can you share about learning the art of crafting a mystery and how to set it into a pace of delivery readers feel their on the edge?
Anstey responds: As Winnie-the-Pooh would say: “Think, think, think.”
I spend a lot of time in my head while I’m working on a book, staring off into the distance. It appears as if I am contemplating the imperfections of life when, in fact, I might be deciding who said what to whom and if a puppy can be inserted into any given scene. (I love adding puppies.) The various scenes of a book flip by my mind’s eye like a movie. It allows me to rewind and rewrite or cut and embellish.
My best education on the writing process was writing …and then, after leaving it for weeks or more, going back with a critical eye. At first I wanted to delete entire passages, but I learned that through revision a mediocre story could shine. Pacing is complicated; everyone will tell you something different. I enjoy taking the characters and the reader into the fray. Then, leaving them in that mess while I lead another batch into trouble.
I can relate to what your sharing here – the best way to improve your own writerly style is by continuing to write and develop your written voice. I’ve even seen a personal improvement in how I craft together a story since becoming a book blogger – mostly as through blogging, I’ve been re-developing how I articulate myself about ‘stories’, ‘characters’ and ‘worlds’ – noticing what I enjoy as a reader has also re-shaped how I look at crafting my own whilst also having a regular outlet for ‘writing’ to where it all re-addresses back into my fiction pursuits.
Any time spent on developing our skills as a writer is an asset and I do agree – the best routes of growth I’ve experienced are not just limited to being a book blogger but those moments wherein I’ve been polishing my manuscripts and re-developing the stories inside them. I can even see the growth from my initial writings as a teenager and being a Nanowrimo writer in my late twenties to where I am now as a book blogger whose really a writer moonlighting online to talk about the stories she’s been reading!
What uplifts your spirit the most when you are not researching and writing your stories?
Anstey responds: My interests outside of reading and writing are somewhat diverse. I love to paint (I preferred watercolour at one time but I’m now teaching myself acrylics.) I enjoy cross-stitch, gardening and I used to sing ‘lead’ in a barbershop harmony chorus. Traveling near and far is amazing and other than that I enjoy walking by the ocean or playing in the backyard with the dog. (Throwing a ball, stick or squeaky toy. It doesn’t matter what object is tossed; if I throw it, my retriever brings it back.)
I used to paint with acrylics however I’d like to switch-over to watercolours due to being more ‘friendly’ to those who would like to take the chemicals out of their lives and their art. My Mum loves to cross-stitch but for me, I love playing with fibre as a knitter! Gardening is a pursuit I’d love to have in the future as there is something about the soulful connection to land, soil and the growing season. Travelling is a writer’s dream as you get to gather experiences and conversations ‘elsewhere’ from whence you live. I had a good chuckle over your dog’s happiest of days and I admit, there is a certain kind of serenity when you visit the sea! I also prefer the interior joys of mountains and anytime I’m in the natural world, my heart releases an immediate note of gratitude.
I would like to thank Ms Anstey for her wicked lovely conversation – I love how she gave such a warm-hearted introduction to her novel “The Hummingbird Dagger!” I felt much more confident in seeking out this story to read as she answered the concerns I had about the visceral content concerns as much as she gave an honest response to some of my other enquiries as well to where I felt this was one story I might find wicked lovely to be reading! I look forward to gathering a copy for my own library but for now, I am going to be requesting this for purchase at my local library as one of my Spring requests! I will keep everyone posted if they accept the request & if I get to read this before Summer!
This blog tour is courtesy of:
Be sure to visit the rest of the tour for more guest author features & a lovely array of insightful observations by the bloggers who’ve reviewed the story & shared their key takeaways on behalf of the story.
Find others hosting via @XpressoTours!
I am enjoying being a hostess for:
Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers. This also extends to Book Spotlights & Book Blitzes which I choose to highlight which might have content inclusive to the post materials which I did not directly add a contribution but had the choice whether or not to feature those materials on my blog.
{SOURCES: Book cover for “The Hummingbird Dagger”, author photograph of Cindy Anstey, author biography, blitz tour banner and host badge were provided by Xpresso Book Tours and are being used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish banner and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2019.
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