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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Robin Bridges Interview + The Gathering Storm Giveaway!

And WE ARE BACK!!!

Today is the kick off of our Apocalypsies and Debut authors leg for Dystopian Domination. Technically it's not DD anymore but hey! Debut authors! 2012 authors! Apocalypsies!~ Here they come!


Today we have debut author Robin Bridges to talk about her debut novel, The Gathering Storm! Welcome Robin to the blog!

Follow Robin: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Please describe The Gathering Storm in one sentence.

In 1880’s Imperial Russia, young Katerina of Oldenburg hides a dangerous secret: she can raise the dead.


How much research have you done for The Gathering Storm? How difficult is it to write a book set during Czarist Russia/Russian Empire? Why Czarist Russia?

I’ve always been fascinated with Russian history, thanks to my great-grandparents. I researched and read a TON of Russian history books for this trilogy! It was difficult because even with the wealth of information I have, there are so many Russian history books and Romanov diaries that are only available in Russian. I wish I could read and speak Russian!


Did you ever base any of your characters on real person(s)?

Several of the characters in TGS are based on real Romanovs, who alas, were not actually fairies or blood drinkers. Evgenia of Leuchtenberg really existed, as well as her husband the Duke of Oldenburg and her son Petya. But the Oldenburgs did not have a daughter, so Katerina is completely fictional.


What is the best thing that a reviewer (or someone) said about your novel?

“Bridges could become a worthy successor to Libba Bray with this historical fantasy. Her lush settings, secret rituals, and paranormal creatures make for an atmospheric political adventure… Katiya is a strong female hero whose further adventures are worth following.” - Voya


Can you give us one line from your novel that you find important, striking or unforgettable?


Militza smiled. “Necromancy is the most vile, the darkest of the black arts, Duchess. Certainly you cannot think the tsarina could allow one such as you to remain under her roof? Or indeed, even to continue attending Smolny?”

She had me trapped in her web. “What do you want from me?” I whispered.

-----

I was certainly teased by that line. I wonder why? I am DYING to read this book! And fabulous answers, Robin!

The Gathering Storm (Katerina Alexandrovna #1) by Robin Bridges
Add to your Goodreads list!

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe's royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina's strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar's standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina's help to safeguard Russia, even if he's repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

The Gathering Storm came out January 10th, published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers. 
Buy a copy from AMAZON or BOOK DEPOSITORY!

GIVEAWAY TIME! 
WIN A SIGNED FINISHED COPY OF THE GATHERING STORM + SWAG PACK BY ROBIN BRIDGES!

That's right. For those of you who haven't read it yet (including me) you'll have a chance to win a copy of the book and some cool The Gathering Storm swag. And yes! This is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY! Go enter the contest now by filling out the form and answering this question:

If you have the power to raise the dead, will you consider bringing someone back to life? Who and why?


a Rafflecopter giveaway


75 comments:

  1. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

    If I had the power to bring someone back from the dead, someone I love, I don't think I would bring ANYBODY back. It would kind of destroy the balance if you know what I mean . . . and normally bringing someone back to life has its consequences. At least that's what I believe. haha.

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  2. Honestly, as tempting as it may be at first ... on second thought I wouldn't want to raise the dead! This simply sounds like my own personal horror story in the making ;-)!

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  3. Thanks for the giveaway.

    No I think the dead should be left as they are !

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  4. No! Because death is an essential part of our system. :D

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  5. No...not unless they JUST died. But I wouldn't bring back, say, my long dead granfather. It would just be iunnateral. Plus, wouldn't he be like a zombie, all decayed? Or does necromancy also fix your skin?

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  6. Hmmm...would they come back like, normal, or all whacked out and just undead? :) No, I don't think I would want to mess with Mother Nature. Let the dead lie and all that...

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  7. No but only because both of the people I'd like to bring back are cremated.

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  8. I don't think I would. Everyone has his or her own time to die. Interfering it will do no good.

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  9. I don't think so, there'd be so much to consider.

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  10. Tough question.. I don't really know because I want to sound ethical and say I wouldn't raise the dead, but if someone who I loved very very much died I think I couldn't decide so easily.. So I can't honestly say yes or no so it's kind of good that I don't have that power..

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  11. Great interview and thanks for this awesome giveaway!
    I rather not bring someone back from dead, because who knows how long they'll stay with us before they die again or lose their sanity. Plus, i wouldn't want to go through the pain of separation all over again.

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  12. I never knew my grandpa so I think I'd use the power to bring him back and just spend some time with him.. :)

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  13. I would never bring someone back to life. The dead should stay dead (even if I have to admit I would be tempted...how I would love to be able to talk to Leonardo Da Vinci!).

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  14. I wouldn't bring anybody back from the dead. I believe things happen for a reason. I think it would be selfish to bring someone back just because that is what I wanted.

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  15. This is an amazing giveaway. <3 Thank you so much for giving this book away :) It seems amazing.
    I wouldn't bring anyone back from the dead. Mostly because so far no one I love has died :) But still, I wouldn't have done it either way.
    Love, Carina

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  16. I don't think I would bring someone back from the dead. There would be too many consequences with it I'm sure.

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  17. Lovely interview! :)

    And while it may be tempting - no, I wouldn't. Or maybe just for a little while, like in that show Pushing Daisies. :D

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  18. I'd bring back my grandfather from my dad's side because he died when I was about 1yo so I'd like to get to know him.

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  19. Thank you for this lovely giveaway :)

    As for the question, I don't think I would bring someone back, I rather enjoy the possibility of long distance communication with the long gone loved ones. Difficult question... :)

    Best regards, Diana

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  20. No way! I don't want to have this kind of power.
    Thanks a lot for the giveaway!

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  21. Yes, I would. If there is a life on the line and important infiormation needs to be gained, then it's a very good reason to use such power.

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  22. No. I just don't think I could handle this power. I'd be wracked with guilt.

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  23. I don't think I would... I would fear them not being the same or becoming a zombie :P

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  24. I don't think I could. I have read to many stories in which the dead come back and they aren't the same as they had been. It would hurt even worse.

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  25. I don't think I'd raise anyone from the dead. I don't think it would be a good idea.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. Id probably only bring back someone i care about and i know they deserve to live again

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  27. I think dead should stay dead. Well, maybe I will bring back Margaret Mitchell so she would write sequel to Gone with the wind.

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  28. Right now, I'd say, no, I would not bring back the dead. It's a part of life; there will come a time when one has to die, and bringing someone back to life will just upset this 'balance'. But that's only my opinion now. Who knows, my opinion may change in the future!

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  29. I would not. It sounds nice, but I could not pick just one, and then might get upset with myself if things didn't go the way I wanted it to.

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  30. I would NOT raise anyone from the dead because they never come back quite right. They would be twisted and malevolent.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  31. If I had the power to raise the dead, I don't think I'd use it. The people I loved I'd be worried they'd be unhappy or want to stay dead, and for other people I think they should rest already

    faefever25 at hotmail dot com

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  32. I would be very careful if I decided to use that power. Some things are better left untouched.

    Thanks for the giveaway. I've been trying to win this for some time!

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  33. If I was Romeo and my Juliet died (knowing full well that Romeo would die), I’d bring back Juliet so she can live and I can be with her once again before my fateful death comes. Therefore she can live again.

    Hope that’s worthy of some entries lol.

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  34. I would never use that power! I´ve read so many books and I have pretty good picture in my mind that include something like that, so I really do not want that power! xD
    Thanks for the giveaway! ;)

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  35. Bring the dead back to life? No. As they say 'let sleeping dogs lay'. :)

    Great giveaway.

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  36. If had the power to raise the dead, I wouldn't bring anybody back. I think they are better where they are and I thing the world's balance would be totally destroyed! That if there were no consequences to bringing the dead to life again..

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  37. I think I would. Maybe Gandhi to see if he could offer some advice on fixing the mess this world is in.

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  38. Hmm...It really depends. It's a interesting idea, but then people aren't supposed to live forever...? Who knows.

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  39. Yes and no. Yes, to bring back any of my pets. No, because if it was their time to move on, then it's their time. Let them go.

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  40. I would consider it, but probably would not. I'd be too afraid to see what would happen lol.

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  41. No, I most definitely would not bring someone back to life. I may have considered it at one point, but after reading the chapter in Harry Potter about the Deathly Hollows story, the desire was nipped in the bud!

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  42. I would be extremely hesitant about bringing someone back from the dead. I don't know if the undead would be in pain, evil, or willing to cooperate with whatever I wanted. I guess I would just bring back Walt Disney so I could tell him that cryogenics doesn't work yet. :D

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  43. No way!! You don't mess with the dead! God's will is God's will and if you mess with that, the universe will definitely find a way to punish you!

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  44. I wouldn't want to use my power at all. I don't know what the person will be like- will they remember anything about themselves, much less how to be a person. How would they return, woudl they feel the pain that was the cause of their death forever, or would they even want back, like Buffy in the 6th season. There would have to be a very very very good reason for raising the dead.

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  45. I don't believe people should be brought back from the dead but if I did, I would bring back my grandma. I grew up in the same town as her and spent so much time on her ranch. I would just want to hug her and introduce her to her great-grandchildren.

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  46. No! I like reading about zombies, but in real life? No way! It sounds really scarry, the living dead brrr.....

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  47. I wouldn't bring ANYONE back to life! I've seen enough movies and read enough books that taught me how bad of an idea reanimation can be...Pet Sematary, anyone?

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  48. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

    bring ppl back 2 life ... not for mee
    immortality intriguing

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  49. I'd bring back those I love - people and pets:)

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  50. Uh, no. That would be just wrong, not to mention disturbing!

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  51. Thanks for the giveaway! Tempting but sorry I wouldn't... Death is part of who we are... We come from dust therefore we go back to dust:) Otherwise that would be so unfair if one gets to live more or again!

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  52. It would be a great power, but also dfangerous. it is better not to wake the dead and let them get their eternal peace

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  53. No, I wouldn't because once you do it once, where does it stop!! (and it's creepy!!)

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  54. I may possibly do that...if the people I love die in the future! But so far I don't really think I have anyone dead to bring back to life.

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  55. I would not raise the dead even if I could. I don't like the idea of messing with nature.

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  56. If I could raise back the dead, I would definitely bring back my grandparents. They died before I was born and I never got the chance to meet them. It would be really nice to see them. :)

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  57. I would bring back my Grandmother...I have so many questions that I didn't get to ask her. And so many things to learn from her that I never got the chance to learn. She was an awesome and funny lady and I would love to see her again :-)

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  58. It's tempting but it would bring trouble in the future! Thing about this! You can bring deaths, yes, but in what kind of condition?

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  59. I truly beleive that the dead go on to a better existence, so why would I want to bring them back down to this plane of living.

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  60. I would bring no one back from the dead. - Judy R...

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  61. I don't think I'd want to bring anyone back from the dead. Not because I wouldn't want to see them again but I guess all good things have to come to an end. Memories are important.

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  62. I wouldn't bring anyone to life. Because I don't know what would happen to them in this life. what if it's for the worst?
    Dead people are supposedly stay dead.

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  63. We are but mere mortals. We age, we get sick, we die. And even if I have the power to bring someone back to life, I don't think I'll use it.
    Death is inevitable and disrupting this natural process, in my opinion, will not do anyone good, especially not the one who has been raised from the dead.

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  64. I probably wouldn't just because I feel everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't want to mess with destiny!

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  65. I would definitely consider it, would bring back my cats!!

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  66. No. We say Rest in Peace so I reckon we ought to let them rest in peace. :)

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  67. I wouldn't consider it, it would be amazing to be able to do so but everyone's time has to come to an end. Loved the interview, The book has been on my wishlist for a while now. Thanks for sharing :)

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  68. I'd like to bring back my grandmother just to say I love her and to give her a second chance at living and not being affected by cancer, but then again. Let her rest in peace...

    Great giveaway. Thanks!

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  69. I would never use that power!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)

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  70. Consider it, yes. But actually doing it, probably not. I'm one of those over thinking people. Always thinking about the conquenses. In the heat of the moment maybe, if I'm there, when someone I love die.

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  71. If I had the power of necromancy, I wouldn't resurrect anyone. For one, it's creepy!!!! They'll come out all disgusting out of the dirt. Or worse!!! Would the person's burnt ashes come to life? That would probably be the worst scenario.

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  72. No. The dead should be left alone.

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  73. No, because I know it would end terribly.

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  74. Okay, while I love the thought of having the power to bring someone back to life I just don't think I would if I actually had the power. I would constantly worry about the "rightness" of doing it.
    Lethea B
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

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I love getting comments from my readers and fellow bookworms, and I try my best to respond to all of them. Feel free to give me a piece of your thoughts. Also, this is an award-free blog. I simply don't have the time to highlight them anymore, but thank you for thinking of my blog!

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