Blog Tour Sound of the Heart: Interview and giveaway with Genevieve Graham

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1) Hi Genevieve! I am so excited to have you here. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?
 
Hey Rebecca! I’m so happy to be here, and thanks for being part of my manic blog tour!
 
2) Can you tell us about The Sound of Heart? Will we miss anything by not reading Under The Same Sky first?
 
... No. When Penguin asked me to write a companion novel to Under the Same Sky, they specified it was not to be a sequel, which was just fine with me—actually, I like it much better than writing a sequel. The books are linked by the MacDonnell brothers, Andrew (UTSS) and Dougal (SOTH). Both survive the Battle of Culloden (though each thinks the other is dead), and they each lead separate lives following that terrible day. Both books include references to the other man, but they are only mentioned in memories or dreams.
 
3) What is your writing process? (Do you right outlines? Do you know how a story is going to end when you start it?)  
 
… It’d be SO much easier if I knew the ending before I started! Both books have been through three completely different endings. I’m getting better at writing basic outlines, though, which is forcing me to plan ahead. For the latest book (not published yet) I started writing the main female character’s part, then realized the story was going to get pretty confusing pretty fast, so I actually wrote a synopsis before I went any farther. That took a lot of stress off me, so now I’m forcing myself to do that every time.
 
4) How long did it take you to write Sound of the Heart start to finish?
 
… I wrote the initial version of Sound of the Heart in about four months, I think. I kind of lose track when I’m writing. And then there’s all the editing - I think I did that over the following year or so.
 
5) I love you characters! How do you make them so real?
 
… I like to think my characters write themselves, if that makes any sense. When I’m writing it’s kind of like a meditation for me. I let myself sink right into the scenes, right into their minds and hearts. If I’m too distracted the writing gets too surface-y, and I always end up going back and digging it back up again. For me, that’s what storytelling is all about, seeing it from the point of view from the actual people experiencing it. I guess it’s like the way I write: I don’t pull any punches when it comes to violence and historical truths, and I feel it’s only fair that I be a part of that as well as the characters.
 
6) My favorite character in Sound of the Heart is Glenna. Glenna is so complex and strong, I loved how she changed so much throughout the book. If you can answer this without spoilers. Was it hard to workout Glenna and Dougal's relationship so seamlessly from friendship to love? Or did it flow naturally?
 
… Glenna would like to hear that. I don’t think she spends much time thinking about herself, so she might even be surprised to learn that you liked her best. But yeah, she’s a tough li’l lassie!
 
I was concerned about their relationship, like you suggested, but I ended up following Dougal’s lead. He was nervous at first too, but he trusted his gut. He knew he felt something deeper for her, and when he took a chance (he’s never been afraid to try something), he discovered he was right. And once the two of them were committed, there was no stopping them.
 
7) What is your favorite genre to read?
 
… I like Historical Fiction, but not straight historical romance. I look for adventure. I like the stories to be passionate, but not all about the bedroom. Real life is so much more than sex, and I want to experience it all. That’s why I loved Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series, the “Into the Wilderness” series by Sara Donati, the gritty realism of Penelope Williamson and Jennifer Roberson.
 
8) What are you reading right now?
 
*blush* Fifty Shades of Grey. I like to read whatever’s popular just to see what all the hoopla is about. And before you ask, I’d give it a … meh. Take it or leave it. I have a concern with it being so huge and being compared to Twilight, because that means my 12 year old daughter could figure it was safe to pick it up. I wish that comparison had never been made. Besides, Anastasia’s way brighter than Bella. :)
 
9) Are there any books you are really excited about that are coming out soon?
 
I’m looking forward to Kaki Warner’s latest, “Bride of the High Country”, coming out June 5. I love Kaki’s writing. And of course Diana Gabaldon’s new one, but that won’t be out until 2013.
 
10) What can we be excited about that is coming from you in the future?
 
… Well, the future is unclear at the moment. The third book in the series, “Out of the Shadows” is on my editor’s desk, and we’re waiting to find out if Penguin will be buying it or not. I’ve started a fourth, focusing on Janet MacLeod, who was a feisty member of the Under The Same Sky crew. I’ve also been working on some completely stand alone books that I love, two of which are based here in Nova Scotia and are centred around the WW1 era. I hope someday everyone will be able to read them!
 
Thanks so much for having me here today!
 
Thanks so much for being here!
 

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More Info

Title: Sound of the Heart
Author: Genevieve Graham
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN-10: 0425247341
ISBN-13: 978-0425247341
Goodreads   Amazon

From Genevieve Graham, author of Under the Same Sky, comes a sweeping romantic historical novel of one man’s strange gift and dangerous battles…
     

Dougal MacDonnell, a fierce warrior from the Highlands of Scotland, is able to hear the thoughts of other men and dream how the future will unfold. Devastated by the loss of his family during the Battle of Culloden in 1746, he fosters a deep hatred for the English. But when Glenna, the love of his life and a Scottish outlaw, is captured and shipped overseas, Dougal is forced to join an English army made of vanquished Scots. Now fighting on the side of his sworn enemies, he embarks on a journey that will take him across the seas to the colonies. There he will risk everything for the chance to find his true love.(Goodreads)

Genevieve Graham graduated from the University of Toronto in 1986 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance (playing the oboe). While on a ski vacation in Alberta, she met her future husband in a chairlift lineup and subsequently moved to Calgary to be with him. They have recently settled in a small, peaceful town in Nova Scotia with their two beautiful daughters. Writing became an essential part of Genevieve’s life a few years ago, when she began to write her debut novel, Under the Same Sky. The companion novel, Sound of the Heart, will be in stores May 1, 2012.

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Giveaway

Genevieve is offering up a great Grand Prize throughout the Sound of the Heart tour!

 

A signed copy of Sound of the Heart PLUS a four cd set of relaxation cds created by my incredibly talented musical friends, Cori Ashley and Ed Franks. I'll give you a little insight into why I chose these cds as my prize - I'm NOT saying Sound of the Heart is about relaxing … considering the wild adventures Dougal's in for, I doubt he was too relaxed! But Dougal has a gift, similar to his brother's gift. He can relax his mind and hear the thoughts of other men, but he can also sink into his thoughts and hear the sounds and voices of his loved ones as if they were right there with him. These cds were created to help you escape the stress and craziness of your days. Grab a cup of tea or glass of wine (your preference!), light a candle, maybe slip in to a bubblebath, and listen to the sound of your heart.

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I loved this book! My review will be up tomorrow.

Happy reading,