End of Summer Bash: Party with Anne Elisabeth Stengl!

Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books are powerful - beautifully imagined fantasy with beautiful themes! You can read my review of Veiled Rose, the second book in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series, HERE. And my review of Starflower - the book we're featuring today! - will be coming sometime in October or November! Can I just say I cannot WAIT to read it? =)

Today you have a chance to learn more about Starflower, as well as chance to win any one book in the series! Read on to learn more...

Amber: So glad to have you visit, Anne!

What’s one summer-themed song you would love to hear at an “end-of-summer” party?

Anne: Well, at risk of sounding terribly cliché, I suppose my favorite summer song would be the "Summertime" aria from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin. It's such a gorgeous song, and I've performed it myself back in my jazz-singing days! Not an upbeat melody so much as lazy and a little melancholy, just like the end of summer should be.

Amber: I found this strictly instrumental version of "Summertime," as performed by the Vienna Symphonic Rock Orchestra. I like the sound of it - and I agree that it's a wonderful "summer-is-winding-down" song!

So, if the heroine of Starflower was planning an “end-of-summer” party, what might it look like?

Anne: As a girl, Starflower, the heroine in my upcoming novel, looks forward to the close of summer because it marks the end of the Campaigning Season when all the warriors of her village return from battle. An end-of-summer party would be an enormous, village-wide celebration to welcome the warriors home, and Starflower would be very busy preparing a great feast! She would harvest mangos from the grove near her father's house to brew up mango cider, which she must do by herself now, since her mother died . . . though her baby sister, Fairbird, might try to "help!"

One of the favorite celebration foods Starflower would make would be a very spicy dish of onions and little fish caught from the stream nearby. She would cut up the onions and mix them with spices she ground herself, cinnamon and ginger and peppers grown in her own garden. If she can get her hands on a little sugar, she'll add that as well and cook it all up on a hot stone over coals, adding chunks of fish as it cooks. All the warriors home from battle will love this flavorful concoction!

Starflower would not be allowed to participate in the games, however. Young boys of the village will have foot races, spear-throwing competitions, wrestling matches and, though I'm sorry to say it, dog fights. Starflower disapproves of the dog fights, and she won't let her little sister watch.

When evening falls, Starflower might be allowed to perform the end-of-summer dance with the other young girls of her village, while the older women beat drums and the Eldest of the village sings in his deep, warrior's voice. This song would honor both those who died in battle and the summer coming to its end, preparing for the dying time of autumn and the sleeping time of winter. Starflower always cries when she hears this song, for it makes her think of her dead mother.

Amber: I love your descriptions, Anne! Sounds like an exciting, moving time. 

Now for the hero of Starflower… What would he look forward to most about autumn?

Anne: The hero of Starflower is an immortal Faerie, and he doesn't pay a great deal of attention to passing seasons or even years. He lives in Rudiobus, a Faerie kingdom, where Autumn visits only upon occasion.When Autumn does come to Rudiobus, however, the Merry People throw a great festival! And my hero, Eanrin, who is the king's Chief Poet, will compose a song to honor the autumn, and the changing colors, and the dying that must come before life renews. His song might even look something like this:

Remnants of colored silk, each leaf must fall 

In scattered storm of gold and red and umber 

To lie beneath the trees bereft and tall, 

And clothe the ground in blankets meant for slumber. 

Lord Lumé and his Lady, in ever-turning dance 

Across the sky shine soft upon the waning year 

And pause mid-step to cast a caring glance 

On quiet sleeps of death, and drop a tear 

To fall in solemn vow of songs to come 

And life renewed. But now, dear world, sleep on! 

And wait, wait, wait to hear again the song. 

Amber: That's beautiful!! (But don't tell Sir Eanrin - he already has enough of an ego, I'm thinking! *Wink*) Sir Eanrin is a favorite of many, so I'm sure there are lots of readers (like me!) who are excited that he is the hero of Starflower! 

Please share a little more about your latest release. We’d love a brief snippet if you’d care to share one!

Anne: My upcoming novel, Starflower, is the fourth book in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood," an award-winning series of novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style. Starflower tells the story of immortal Eanrin whose ladylove is kidnapped by an evil dragon. He and his rival for that lady's hand set out on a race to rescue the fair maid. But while on this quest, Eanrin comes across a mortal girl caught in an enchanted sleep. Should he leave her where she lies . . . or wake her and risk getting caught up into a dark adventure far beyond anything he ever dreamed? If you're curious, here's a sneak peek...

~ Excerpt from Starflower ~

The girl did not stir when Eanrin lifted her into his arms; her sleep was profound indeed. Her head lolled over his arm, and he was obliged to part her thick hair to uncover her face. It was an uncommonly beautiful face for a mortal.

However, this girl’s beauty was different from any he had ever before seen. For one thing, her skin was rich dark brown, and her hair glossy black. For another, she was imperfect. Her teeth, visible between gently parted lips, were a little crooked. Mud stained her skin, making it darker still, and her brow, even in sleep, was puckered with anxiety or fear. Her dreams must be wicked indeed.

Eanrin grimaced at the sight and almost put her down again. After all, a princess with dreams like those probably had a tale of woe to match. She would certainly wake with expectations of a handsome hero to aid her. As far as Eanrin was concerned, a dash of heroism was one thing, but commitment to a cause? Never. Rushing off to the rescue of Lady Gleamdren was different, for he had determined that she must be his wife and the sole inspiration to his life’s work. Besides, he loved her.

This creature meant nothing to him.

But blood oozed from the abrasions on her wrists. And her body, mortal and vulnerable, lay in his arms. Eanrin rolled his eyes heavenward as though to seek some holy aid. Then he braced himself and wiped the mud off her lips with the edge of his cloak. She frowned in her sleep and stirred, but did not wake.

“Nothing for it,” he muttered. Closing his eyes and trying not to smell her any more than he must, he leaned in and kissed her . . .

~ End of Excerpt ~ 

But you'll have to pick up Starflower to see what happens from there!

Amber: Oooh, that's so cruel, Anne! What a place to stop! ;) Can't wait to pick up the book and continue reading. Thank you for sharing with us!

Readers, Anne has a special giveaway to share with you: 

"I'm game to do an international giveaway. The winner may choose any one of the four 'Tales of Goldstone Wood' - Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, or Starflower - as her prize. However, winner, if you choose Starflower, you'll have to wait a few months, since that novel does not release until November!"

For a chance to win, just leave a comment for Anne, including your name and e-mail address, as well as your book choice. All "End of Summer Bash" winners will be announced on Saturday, September 8th.

*This giveaway is open internationally.*

My 2 cents: I think this series is best appreciated in order, so if you're new to the "Tales of Goldstone Wood," I highly recommend starting with Heartless. However, my favorite of the series so far is Moonblood. Of course, the decision is up to you, and I really don't think you can go wrong with any of her books, but I'd just thought I'd throw that all in!

As for tomorrow's guest, she writes historical romances with a Western theme, suspense, and a strong emphasis on faith. So come on over to learn about her latest book - and enter for a chance to win it!

(Music video found on YouTube.)