#Giveaway Interview BERSERKER by Emmy Laybourne @EmmyLaybourne @FeiwelFriends ‏10.30

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Are Hanne’s powers a gift from the old Norse gods, or a curse?

Her brother Stieg swears their powers are a gift from the old gods, but Hanne Hemstad knows she is truly cursed. It’s not Stieg’s fault that their father is dead, their mother has left, and their brother Knut has been accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

No, the fault lies with Hanne and her inability to control her murderous “gift”–she is a Berserker. When someone she loves is threatened, she flies into a killing state. The siblings must leave Norway for the American frontier or risk being brought to justice.

Aided by a young cowboy who agrees to be their guide, Hanne and her siblings use their powers to survive the perilous trail, where blizzards, wild animals, and vicious bounty hunters await.

Will they be able to reach their uncle, the one man Hanne believes may be able to teach her how to control her drive to kill? With Berserker, Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, presents her vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.

MY THOUGHTS (mni review)

Hanne is unsure of herself, especially her gifts.  Her brother, Stieg, thinks his are a gift from the gods, where Hanne thinks hers is a curse.  She is known as a Berserker and flies into a rage when she or a loved one is threatened.  When one incident sets the family on a course to America where they hope they can find someone to help Hanne with her cursed gift.

Emmy Laybourne is a novelist, screenwriter and former character actress. She is the author of the upcoming release BERSERKER (“You will love Emmy Laybourne’s vision of an American west studded with Viking glory.” – Hypable.com), as well as the MONUMENT 14 trilogy (“Frighteningly real… riveting” – NYT Book Review, Editor’s Choice) and the novel SWEET (“A gripping action-adventure survival story” – VOYA, rated Perfect Ten).

Before her life as a novelist, Emmy performed original comedy on Comedy Central, MTV and VH1; and acted in the movies “Superstar,” “The In-Laws” and “Nancy Drew,” among others. Emmy lives outside New York City with her husband, two kids and a flock of 9 nifty chickens.

PLEASE WELCOME ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE AUTHORS EMMY LEYBOURNE!

What is on your nightstand?

I just finished a wonderful middle-grade book called The Wonderling by Mira Bartók.    It’s a beautiful story set in a very grim, steampunk universe, about a fox/human with one ear, who can hear the melodies of beauty that run under the world.

Over the summer I read every single book by Joe Abercrombie. He writes these fabulous fantasy novels.  Joe Abercrombie writes the best action scenes and battle scenes that I have ever read.  His war scenes are astounding.

What author would you totally fan?

I’m actually good friends with an author, whose work I love so much that I frequently sort of kick myself, like I can’t believe I’m out to lunch with her.  Who is it?  It’s Libba Bray.  She is a hero to me.  Her book, Beauty Queens, is a book that I go to when life gets so absurd that I need to read something even more crazy, so I can relax. With all the insanity we’re living hrough in politics right now, I’ve re-read it often. Libba is also a fiercely creative person who makes time for her singing and her music writing. She’s also a mother, and she’s a huge champion of other people’s creativitiy and right to be themselves. I’m fan-girling, aren’t I?

What makes you cringe?

I really worry about young women and social media. I worry that it feels like a fun game while you’re posting, but you are acually invading your own privacy, and taking away your freedom to make huge, giant mistakes. Young people have the right to make mistakes — and usually bounce back beautifully from them. But it’s harder to bounce back when there’s a record of your screw-ups out there, So I cringe when I see people  posting stuff I suspect they might regret later on social media.

Is there a word you love to use?

Oh goodness – I use the word “stumble” too much.   I have to do, like, a “stumble check” at the end of every book.  David Levithan hosts these wonderful readings and events in New York, and I was reading from one of my books and came across the word “stumble” twice in a four-sentence span. I stopped, mortified, but the audience got a big laugh out of it. So there’s that!

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Mary! I’m sending tons of love to your readers!

—Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

– 4 Winners will receive a Copy of BERSERKER by Emmy Laybourne.