Rowan of the Wood by Christine and Ethan Rose

ROWAN OF THE WOOD

by Christine and Ethan Rose

Young Adult/Fantasy
Dalton
www.RowanoftheWood.com


We're giving away 2 signed copies on December 12, 2008.




Synopsis:

Harry Potter fans, meet your new hero...

After a millennium of imprisonment in his magic wand, an ancient wizard possesses the young boy who released him. When danger is nigh, he emerges from the frightened child to set things right. Both he and the boy try to grasp what has happened to them only to discover a deeper problem. Somehow the wizard’s bride from the ancient past has survived and become something evil.

A Finalist in the Young Adult Fiction category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

Praise for Rowan of the Wood:

"This is a great addition to the wizarding world. You'll find yourself reading it in a day because you won't want to put it down."
—Austin Monthly Magazine

"...a fanciful and intriguing book about love, loss, magic and a centuries old quest."
—A. E. Jaskiewicz for Front Street Reviews

"...an imaginative and fun read with a fairy tale flavor to it that will appeal to old and young alike."
—Victoria Kennedy, Midwest Book Reviews





Check out this exclusive interview with Christine and Ethan, the husband and wife author team of Rowan of the Wood!

1) This book sounds like a fascinating read. Can you tell us about your inspiration for writing it?

C: Rowan of the Wood is really a culmination of a lifetime of inspiration. The Authurian Legend and Celtic Mythology, as well as the Green Man Myth, have always spoken to me. Literature in general, especially the classics, have inspired me to action many a time. Ethan's childhood story is a huge source of inspiration for me. More recently, the joy of my nephews and the wonder of Harry Potter were also sources of inspiration. HP brought childlike magic back into my life at 35.

E: For me it was mostly writing down a bunch of stuff that was floating around in my head looking for a way out.

2) You two are the first husband and wife writing team that we’ve featured on the site. How does that writing relationship work? Do you guys ever struggle for control or have disagreements about how a particular scene should be written?

C: We worked very well together, and we look forward to writing the rest of the series together. Unlike many couples, we work the best when we can spend a lot of time together. We're going on a nationwide tour in the Spring, and we'll be together every day, all day. We can't wait! We'll also be finally able to get back to writing the sequel!

E: We actually do a lot of things together and make a pretty good team overall. We did have an occasional difference of view, but since Christine had the original concept for the book, I generally deferred to her.

3) I read online that you’re adapting the book into a graphic novel. That is really cool. But I can’t help but think this would also make a great film. Along the lines of Harry Potter or Eragon. Any thing in the works for that?

C: I used to work in the film industry, and I certainly plan on producing a film on it. Films, especially one's like this and the two you mentioned, have HUGE budgets. It takes awhile to raise millions of dollars! I'm hoping that some of the contacts I made from working in the industry will help us find a producer and financing so we can make it sooner rather than later.

E: I am sure there will be a film eventually, but it is still too early for it. Films generally happen around the third book.

4) Who’s your favorite character in the book and why? Who was the most fun to write?

C: Fiana is my favorite character. She's the most tragic, the darkest, and she's sacrificed the most. She's a woman with a deep, intense love, and I can relate to that in my relationship with Ethan.

E: I think Cullen is my favorite character as well as the most fun to write. A good deal of me as a child went into him.

5) One of the things that makes Rowan of the Wood so much fun is the fantasy elements. If you each could have one magic power, what would it be?

C: Only one?! I'd like to have Slayer strength (for you Buffy fans)... or it would also be really cool to fly! That's a toss up! Perhaps more realistically is a complete understanding of quantum physics, which I believe is where science meets magic and spirituality. We'll be exploring that in the sequel. There is magic all around us, of course, it's just being able to recognize it...

E: Being able to find the road to Faerie would be nice, but I'll settle for a walk through the redwoods. When I was a youth, I used to wish for powers, magic and otherwise, but as I get older, I realize that knowledge and understanding are far more important.

About the Authors:

Christine and Ethan Rose have marvelous imaginations. Often finding their inspiration among the trees, they write as they lead their lives - with plenty of adventure, magic, and love. Ethan grew up in foster care in Northern California reading every fantasy book he could get his hands on (and still does), while Christine holds her M.A. in Medieval/Renaissance Literature & Folklore. Their premiere novel, Rowan of the Wood, follows the magical adventures of a young boy after his life merges with that of an ancient druid. They enjoy traveling and relaxing with their family: three dogs and a cat named Shadow.

For more information about Christine and Ethan and to read an excerpt from Rowan of the Wood, please visit the official book website: www.RowanoftheWood.com