Hunting Prince Dracula Blog Tour: Interview with Author Kerri Maniscalco and Giveaway

I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour for this book. If you saw my review on Monday you know that I loved Stalking Jack the Ripper (it was one of my favorite books of last year), and I was not disappointed by Hunting Prince Dracula (it will probably be one of my favorite books of this year). So I was really happy to help spread the word about this book.

In addition to that, I really like Kerri. I've been chatting with her on Twitter for over awhile now and I was able to meet her both at BEA in 2016 and at ALA this year. She is just a total sweetheart. So because of that I am super excited to have an interview with Kerri.

Hunting Prince Dracula
(Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)
by Kerri Maniscalso
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Release Date: September 19, 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Synopsis: In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

Hi, Kerri! I'm so excited tobe able to ask you a few questions. I loved your debut Stalking Jack the Ripper and I can't wait to read the sequel Hunting Prince Dracula. I'm excited for our readers to learn more about you and the book. Okay, let's dive right in.

Thank you so much! I’m excited about the questions and am so excited to be here!

General Questions About The Book

Can you explain the series in ten words or less?

Sure! Victorian Era Gothic Nancy Drew meets Sherlock.

How would you describe the main characters of Audrey Rose and Thomas? What Hogwarts Houses would you sort them in?

I LOVE this question! I usually describe HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA inHP terms: (a forensic academy full of Slytherins go Ravenclaw on each other while trying to solve murders in Dracula’s castle), so this is fabulous. I think they’d both be sorted into Ravenclaw, though they do have some Slytherin...so maybe Raverin.

(As a Slytherclaw myself I love this answer. I told Kerri when she said this on Twitter that this is my personal Hero's Journey because I was a teenage Slytherin but now I'm a total Ravenclaw.)

What can you tell us about the setting of the book? I know in this one we are headed to Romania.

Most of the setting takes place at Bran Castle, which is a magnificent fortress located in the his-toric region of Romania known as Transylvania. I’ve definitely taken liberties with the interior ofthe castle and have included really fun, subterranean tunnels for the characters to explore. It’s filled with chambers that feature “fun” surprises for them.

 What inspired you to write this series?

I really wanted to read a book about a girl like me—one who loves forensic science. My grand-mother was always one of my biggest supporters, so I used my love of forensics and my grandmother’s love of“whodunits” and came up with the idea of a gothic Nancy Drew-type series. Women in STEM are amazing and it felt right to feature that passion in my main character.

Do you have a favorite scene? One that you’re excited for readers to experience? (No spoilers of course).

I do! There’s a scene in HPD that I’ve been holding back on since SJTR and it has to do with Thomas Cresswell. I think readers will totally know the scene when they get to that chapter...I believe it’s 29. 

This series involves solving unsolved murders. What unsolved crime would you want to solve?

I still stand by wanting to know who Jack the Ripper really was—his case is still so captivating after all of these years, it would be nice to have closure. I also have always been intrigued by the Black Dahlia case.


Questions About Your Writing Process.

When you write are you a plotter or a pantser?

A little of both, actually. I always have an idea of how I want the story to play out—a lot of times I’ll write out character sheets with details of all the players before I begin. I also like to write up a short three or four hundred word blurb for myself. (Much like the sort of jacket copy you read on books.)

I also have this thing called the “The 3 C’s”of drafting I sort of live by:
1. Cursing
2. Crying
3. Chocolate


I know a lot of writers listen to music, and some use Pinterest to visualize everything. How do you get into the frame of mind to write?

I ADORE using my Pinterest board! I’m a visual person, so anytime I can find a picture that’s similar to what’s in my head, I’m in a happy place. I also am a huge fan of taking writing breaks to listen to music that sets a certain mood or atmosphere for whichever scene I’m currently working on.

I love your Pintrest board! It was how I got verification that I was right about how this book was going to be about Dracula after I read SJTR. Before seeing that it was just a theory. If you want to check out Kerri's Pinterest here it is.

Which book was harder to write, this book or the first book in the series and why?

Definitely HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA! I was terrified of the second book curse, and writing to deadline is SO HARD. I normally like to write in a linear fashion...starting from chapter one and going on until I reach the end, editing as I go to fine tune it before sending it off to critique partners, revising, rinsing and repeating until my dark heart’s content. Deadline writing is much different. I wrote scenes out of order (based on what was feeling like the most natural scene for me that day), and fit it all together chapter by chapter. It was stressful since it wasn’t my usual process, but I actually love writing that way now!

When you were writing did you start with the setting or the plot?

Before I started drafting SJTR I’d say I started with the setting. I knew I wanted to write about a girl who studied forensics, sort of have her be a female Dr. Watson, but thought there needed to be more tension based on why that would be difficult for her. When I read about some badass female doctors during the 1840’s and beyond, I knew I wanted to set it in the 19th century. After that, there was only one case that jumped out, waving its hands to be solved by this brave heroine.

What research did you do for the book?

I think it might be easier to ask what research I didn’t do;) Everything. From the setting to the dresses to Victorian protocol to upper class versus lower class, folklore regarding strigoi and pricolici, research on Vlad the Impaler and his family, the list truly goes on and on.


Questions About You

Favorite book?

I have several that I reread occasionally, but growing up I loved WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS by Shel Silverstein.

Favorite TV show?

I LOVED the Victoria series on PBS and can’t wait for the second season.

Favorite Movie?

I’m a huge fan of Shakespeare and absolutely LOVE Baz Lurhmann’s Romeo and Juliet.

Favorite Song?

Ohh. Too hard! I listen to songs based on mood and it changes often. Right now I’m listening to“Burial”by Miike Snow.

Name 3 fictional places you would move to in a heartbeat?

Wonderland, Fantasia, and Velaris.

Name a recent book that you read which would recommend to our book lovers.

GIRL AT THE GRAVE by Teri Bailey Black which is perfect for fans of SJTR, or SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young, this epic Viking-inspired fantasy. Both are coming out in 2018 and need to be on everyone’s pre-order lists.

Oh, I want to read Sky In the Deep. It's one of my most excited debut of next year. I'll have to look into Girl at the Grave though.

If you were trapped on a desert island what would your island be made of?

 Mangoes. I could eat them all day long. Oh...are we talking about food or...is this just me? If not food, then abalone shells. Totally not functional but it would be gorgeous at sunrise and sunset!

That sounds amazing and totally realistic. I'm sure somewhere out there is an island full of mangoes and one full of shells. I mean I have definitely seen beaches made out of shells. It must exist.

Thanks so much for being here Kerri. It was my pleasure getting to interview you and get to know you a little bit more.

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

FOLLOW THE TOUR

•    2 copies of Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula

•    US & Canada Only

•    No Giveaway accounts

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There you have it folks, my interview with Kerri Maniscalco, author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series including the newly released Hunting Prince Dracula. Hunting Prince Dracula is officially out there in the world so get yourself to a bookstore and pick it up. It's soooo good. If you need a little encouragement here is my review which was posted Monday. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

The Dire King Blog Tour: Interview with R.F. Jackaby and Giveaway

Hi Everyone! I have a very exciting post for you today as part of the blog tour for The Dire King. Many of you may know that I am a huge fan of the Jackaby series. That's why I jumped at the chance to help the ladies at the Fantastic Flying Book Club plan this tour for the final book in the series. If you missed the review I posted on Monday, check that out here.

And so as part of the blog tour I have a super exciting post to share. I was able to secure a very rare interview with the titular character of the series, one Mr. R.F. Jackaby. If you are not aware, Mr. Jackaby is not only the titular character for the series but also a paranormal investigator. I was able to ask him a few questions about himself, his colleagues, and his work. Scroll down for all that. But first, some info about The Dire King. 

The Dire King (Jackaby #4)

by William Ritter
Release Date: August 22nd 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Synopsis: The thrilling conclusion to the New York Times best-selling series the Chicago Tribune called “Sherlock Holmes crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sends the eccentric detective and his indispensible assistant into the heart of a war between magical worlds. 

 The fate of the world is in the hands of detective of the supernatural R. F. Jackaby and his intrepid assistant, Abigail Rook. An evil king is turning ancient tensions into modern strife, using a blend of magic and technology to push Earth and the Otherworld into a mortal competition. Jackaby and Abigail are caught in the middle as they continue to solve the daily mysteries of New Fiddleham, New England — like who’s created the rend between the worlds, how to close it, and why zombies are appearing around. At the same time, the romance between Abigail and the shape-shifting police detective Charlie Cane deepens, and Jackaby’s resistance to his feelings for 926 Augur Lane’s ghostly lady, Jenny, begins to give way. Before the four can think about their own futures, they will have to defeat an evil that wants to destroy the future altogether.

The epic conclusion to the New York Times best-selling Jackaby series features sly humor and a quirky cast of unforgettable characters as they face off against their most dangerous, bone-chilling foe ever.

About the Jackaby series

"A little Dr. Who, a little Harry Potter, and a lot of Sherlock, New York Times bestselling author Will Ritter’s Jackaby series has thrilled YA readers with magic, mystery and adventure since the first book introduced us to a supernatural sleuth and his trusty assistant. In The Dire King: A Jackaby Novel (on sale August 22), Ritter sends the series out with a bang, with even more mystery, romance, and the most epic battle yet. We hope you’ll strongly consider prominent coverage for The Dire King--and all the Jackaby books—as we say goodbye to our crime-solving friends in New Fiddleham.

“A humorous, energetic, action-packed, and magical conclusion.”
 —Kirkus Reviews, starred review Ritter’s debut novel

Jackaby (a New York Times bestseller and 2015 Pacific Northwest Book Award winner) introduced readers to R.F. Jackaby, a quirky detective with a knack for the supernatural; Abigail Rook, his skeptical and observant assistant; Jenny Cavanaugh, the ghostly landlady of 926 Augur Lane; and Charlie Cane, a shape-shifting police officer. Beastly Bones and Ghostly Echoes followed the crime-solving team from their home in New Fiddleham to the depths of the underworld as they uncovered more clues about the evil forces behind Jenny’s murder.

Hello Mr. Jackaby, Thank you so much for agreeing to answer a few of my questions. I am a big fan of your recent exploits and cases in New Fiddleham and Gads Valley. I know the book related to your big case with The Dire King is coming up so I thought this was as good a time as any to get to know you a little better.

1.) For those readers who might not be familiar, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Yes, of course I can. What a silly inquiry.

2.) You live in New Fiddleham, how would you describe the city to those who might want to come visit? 

Hm. Yes, how to put it simply? New Fiddleham’s aura is a maladroit shade of heliotrope with undertones of bright anticipation and rhythmic distress. It smells like hope and boiled potatoes and also over-seasoned frustration. Except on Tuesdays. On Tuesdays it smell like cabbage. Miss Rook informs me that the roadways feel like they were designed by chimpanzees throwing handfuls of wet linguini at a blank bit of parchment and tracing the noodles, but I find her theory improbable. Where would the chimpanzees have boiled the water? Anyway, the roads and I have gotten along just fine since we’ve gotten to know each other.

3.) 926 Augur Lane is a very unusual place. What unique features did it have when you moved in and what did you add? 

The building was like any other, I suppose—three stories plus a decent attic space, a trim little garden, a spectral undead remnant of the previous owner, and a well-maintained kitchen. I made minor modifications only. These included demolishing the kitchen to create a functional modern laboratory, rebricking the facade with custom apotropaic masonry, making room in the master bedroom for a humble observatory, and transforming the spacious third floor sitting room and adjacent chambers into a selfsustained ecosystem with a prominent duck pond. I did keep the original drapes.

4.) Speaking of 926 Augur Lane, it's owner and proprietor Jenny Cavanaugh is currently a ghost. Can you tell us about your first meeting Jenny? 

I was enlisted to perform her exorcism, actually—but I found the spirited specter perfectly well-mannered and frankly far more grounded than most corporeal humans I have met. I made tea. She seemed to find me amusing, not that I recall saying anything funny. As the conversation wore on, I found myself quite enamored with Miss Cavanaugh’s sharp wit and her forthright good humor. In the end, I informed my client that the ghost would be staying precisely where she was for the foreseeable future, and that should he make any further efforts to expel her from her family’s estate, I would personally attend to the lady’s defense. My client decided to be done with it and bequeathed the property to me.

5.) You recently began working with a new assistant named Abigail Rook. How would you describe Abigail to our readers? 

Abigail is hopeless. She has very little sense of self-preservation, no rational fear in the face of absolute peril, and a burning curiosity that could kill a hundred cats. She reminds me a little of myself when I was her age. I’m quite proud of her progress. Although, in spite of the very clear instructions in my advert, she did look right at the frog. Right at it.

6.) Describe your relationship with the New Fiddleham police department. Would you say it's a good working relationship? 

I think the New Fiddleham Police are beginning to come around to me. I have even been given special access to certain areas within the precinct. Well, access to the inside of the holding cells, mostly. Also they allow me to keep some of my things in their evidence lockers. It’s a special sort of relationship.

7.) You are a many of science and logic. What, in your opinion, is the most important skill for a detective to have? 

Extrasensory perception is a real time-saver, obviously. Except in especially tricky cases, like when the perpetrator turns out to be just something woefully ordinary, like a human being. I almost always miss those ones.

8.) Which mythical creature would you not want to meet in a dark alley? Which one would you love to meet instead? 

I would dislike encountering one of the hecatoncheires in a dark alley, if only because conversation is always so uncomfortable—I am never sure which head to took at. Also, they are tatanic giants, so there would not be much alley left after they had stuffed themselves into one. I would much prefer something small, like a sprite or pixie.

9.) If someone suspects they may have an unusual or perhaps mythical occurrence on their hands, what should they do? 

That depends entirely upon the occurrence. If one finds oneself speaking to a large, golden fish, for example, I would advise one to word their wishes carefully. If one finds that furniture is frequently rearranged in the morning, I might suggest giving the new arrangement a try for a day or two. Some poltergeists have a real eye for interior design if given the chance. If one finds oneself facing a large, black hound with three monstrous heads, I am told he is partial to cake. Consider bringing cake with you at all times. Just in case.

10.) You have quite an unusual security guard at 926 Augur Lane. Can you tell us a little bit more about Ogden? How did he come into your life? 

Ogden is a robust specimen of the genus Occulus Flatulanum, although Hank Hudson, the fellow who procured him for me, prefers the vernacular ‘eye fart frog.’ Ogden is actually quite an affable and agreeable amphibian, so long as one avoids touching him, moving his terrarium, standing too near, standing too far away, breathing too heavily in his direction, or looking at him. It is only when provoked that he emits a noxious gas from his eyes, which can quickly fill a room. It is an odor that hangs about like an unwelcome relative.

11.) You have a library at 926 Augur Lane. What's your favorite book? 

I get the most practical use out of my rare edition of the Apotropaicon, although Mendel’s Magical Menagerie remains dear to my heart as a childhood favorite.

12.) What has been your most memorable case to date? Why was it so memorable? 

My most memorable case would have to be my first. Something very bad came for somebody I cared for, and it fell to me to save her. I didn’t.

13.) By request of my interviewee, the thirteenth question has been redacted. 

Your understanding and cooperation on this issue is greatly appreciated.

14.) What is next for you? What can we expect from you on The Dire King? 

Not enough, I’m afraid. Things have gotten a bit out of control, even for me. Miss Rook had a nice little word for it—what was it… cataclysmic. Yes. Things are just a little cataclysmic right now, but I intend to give it my best shot.

15.) And finally, a kind of silly question I ask everyone I interview. If you were trapped on a desserted island, what dessert would your island be made out of? 

A perfectly reasonable query. Saltwater taffy is the obvious choice in an oceanic environment.

Thank you for your interest in my work. Should you find yourself in the area of New Fiddleham, particular if you find yourself there in or around 1892, be sure to stop in

Thank you so much for being here Mr. Jackaby. It was my pleasure sharing some of your wit and knowledge with my readers.

If you have not read the Jackaby series I highly recommend it. It's one of my all-time favorite series because it perfectly combines history, mystery, and fantasy. You can enter a giveaway for the first book down below. If you need more encouragement, my review of the first book in the series, Jackaby, can be found HERE. And if you are up to date, you can find my review of The Dire King HERE.

WILLIAM RITTER is an Oregon educator and author of the New York Times bestselling Jackaby series. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark.

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Thanks everyone for stopping by. Definitely check out some of the rest of the tour. There are some really cool and exciting posts coming up. And again, read the Jackaby series. If I can make one thing clear it's that this series is amazing. Read it and thank me later. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Blogoversary Part II Guest Interview: Violet from Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink

Hi everyone, today is my blogoversary as you may have noticed from my previous post! To celebrate I have a special interview from a fellow blogger who started her blog around the same time as me. She was one of my first subscribers and is absolutely one of the first people I would call a blogging friend. She's been a big supporter of My Thoughts Literally, commenting on posts, chatting on twitter, even doing buddy reads.

Without a doubt for me the best part of book blogging is the amazing community. I know that the reason I have stuck around this past year and have continued blogging is this community. So when we found out that our blogoversaries are only a few days apart we decided to have one another on our blogs to share in the fun. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Violet from Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink.

Basic Getting to Know You Questions

1.) When did you start blogging?

My first post when live November 2, 2013!

2.) How did you come up with your blog name?

I was in a class years ago and there was an assignment to write a love poem. So, naturally, I wrote it to my love of books. I think it was titled Ode to Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink, and I mentioned being in love with the paper worlds with their swirls of ink words. I liked the phrase, and so when I was considering finally making a blog, it came to mind and there's the name.

That's so cool and amazing imagery! Plus I love that you wrote a love poem about books. You should totally post the whole thing on your site at some point. I would love to read it!

3.) What is your favorite part of blogging?

Meeting other bloggers! Talking to other bloggers and collaborating with them has definitely been the best part of blogging thus far! I've gotten amazing book recommendations and had wonderful readalongs as well as participating in things such as the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon that Katelyn and Alexa hosted, Bout of Books, and more!

Me too! I loved Love-A-Thon as well. I haven't done any readathons but you know I love doing readalongs. We actually did one together in April where we read Sekret by Lindsay Smith and we're planning to do The Young Elites in a few weeks. I think it's such a great way to share your love of books with people who have the same interest and you are a great person to do a buddy read with!

4. What is the post you're the most proud of?

Probably a post from the Love-A-Thon when I introduced Wanderlust in Words because it talked about my love of travel and my love of books. I was super nervous to try and come up with something like that but it was worth it and inspired me to try making other sorts of posts. I posted The First Half of 2014 which was a series of posts I liked because it made me think back on all of the books I'd read thus far and talked about my thoughts on some of them.

Yes, I remember your Wanderlust in Words post. That was so awesome. I loved seeing the comparison between the books you read and places you have visited or want to visit. It's not something I usually think about and that post made me think about it!

5. What is something you're looking forward to in your next year of blogging?

Probably continuing to talk with bloggers. Getting to know other bloggers and talking about books. I already have a Can't Wait Books of 2015 shelf on Goodreads, so I'm definitely looking forward to more books to read in the next year, as well as events to look over reading in 2014, the Book Bloggers Love-A-Thon, Bout of Books, readalongs, and other opportunities to blog and talk with other bloggers.

Oh man, I feel like 2015 is going to be a great year for new books. I mean every year is great but there are definitely some can't wait books. I don't have a shelf on Goodreads but that's a good idea. I'm not sure if my anxiety could take it. I'm too impatient!

Fun Questions To Get to Know You Better!

6.) How has blogging changed your reading habits?

While I'm reading, I tend to think more critically about what aspects of the book are working for me and what weren't. Instead of just a vague 'I didn't like this' or 'I did like this' and instead I look at the different elements of the book like characters, pacing, world building, and how those work together. Honestly I think it's made me appreciate reading books more, which I love!

I agree. I'm much more critical with me reading because of blogging. It feels like I'm back in high school reading to analyze the book rather than just to enjoy it. And I also think it has made me appreciate books more but it also has made me tougher on the books. But I think that's okay.

7.) If you could pick two characters from different series and force them to interact who would it be and why?

I would pick June Iparis from the Legend series by Marie Lu and Yelena from the Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder. They're both really awesome and intelligent, plus their societies have some initial similarities that would be really interesting to see them talk about. And also they're just two super strong and smart protagonists I think would get along really well together.

I still have to read both of those series! They are both on my list and it's good to hear you enjoyed the characters so much. That's a big deal for me. I can sometimes forgive other things about the book if I can connect with the characters.

8.) Are there any books that everyone loved that you were surprised you didn't enjoy? And what is one book that you liked more than you expected?

Most definitely! For me, a lot of series that get a lot of hype are books I'm not as big of a fan of. (Hype gets to us all sometimes) but for me some examples are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. That's just me though, and I definitely understand why so many people fell in love with those books!

There was a lot of hype surrounding We Were Liars this year. I liked it a lot but everyone was so shocked by the mystery and twist ending I ended up over-thinking it because of the hype. I think for me if everyone is all "that's so brilliant" I'm always high expectations which isn't always good.



9.) If you were trapped on a deserted island, what dessert would the island be made out of?

Pie. Cherry pie? Apple pie? ...pie.

That's always my answer too. An island of pie! I would constantly be digging it up to get to the filling!

10.) What do you like to do when you're not reading and blogging?

Aside from sleeping? Hmm.... I do enjoy having movie nights, and traveling around! Travel actually has inspired several of my blog posts, so now I kind of want to do something about movies too. I also love languages and spending time with my family.

Haha, Sleeping is my favorite hobby! Travelling is good too. I wish I could travel more. I want to now ask about some of your favorite places but I'll just have to stay tuned for your next Wanderlust in Words post!

Thanks so much for joining me on the blog today Violet! It's been so amazing getting to know you this past year and sharing our blogoversaries. Leave a comment for Violet. What did you think about her answers? Would you also love an island made of pie? And if you are not already subscribed to her site go check it out! She's always so insightful with her reviews and has some great features.

And check out my interview by Violet on Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink in a few days. And don't forget to check out my reflection post and giveaway from earlier today.