Author Interview and Book Giveaway: THE FAERIE RING, by Kiki Hamilton

Happy Release Day!!! THE FAERIE RING, by Kiki Hamilton now available. Do not miss this must read YA historical fantasy. I'll be giving away a copy to one lucky winner, see below. If you want to increase your chances, visit Literary Rambles and Mundie Moms for more chances to win this fabulous book.

THE FAERIE RING is Kiki's debut novel. Her interest in writing began after reading the first few HARRY POTTER books. Once she started writing, she was hooked. Which brings us to her debut.

Kiki Hamilton

 Kiki, can you give us a twitter length pitch of THE FAERIE RING?

Victorian London – a pickpocket steals the Queen’s ring, only to find it is a reservoir that holds a truce between the British court and the world of Faerie, and everyone wants the ring back. 

THE FAERIE RING is set in 1871 London. Did you start with setting, character, or plot?

I knew my setting was Victorian London and I started with my character, Tiki, who is an orphan who picks pockets to survive. Later, I picked the year 1871 because that is the year one of my characters who existed in real life, Prince Leopold, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, is 18.

In THE FAERIE RING we get a peek into Buckingham Palace, life in Charring Cross, local pubs, and other homes and landmarks of the time, some that still exist today. How were you able to write about these places with such authenticity?

Well, the Internet is an amazing thing. When I wrote THE FAERIE RING I had never been to London and really knew very little about the City. It was actually very fortuitous that I set Tiki living in Charing Cross, which is the true heart of London and the center point from which all distances are measured, even to this day. Aside from the Internet, I read books and used my imagination. It was all very clear in my head.

When Tiki stole the ring, I really felt as if I saw the palace through her eyes.

Thank you. I did do quite a bit of research as I work on editorial revisions and had a chance to visit London. While there, I walked in my character’s footsteps (which was so amazing and surreal!) from Charing Cross to St. James Park to Buckingham Palace, which added greatly to my ability to add details to the setting.

The romance is wonderfully done as is the pacing. Any suggestions for the rest of us on pacing?

Get a good editor. LOL (Editor Susan Chang at Tor Teen)

Well, really, I just try to make each chapter pertinent to the overreaching arc of the story and have each scene move the story forward. How did you figure out how much to reveal and when? That’s kind of a tough question to answer. A lot of it has to do with the way you choose to tell the story – who your main character is, who’s point of view the story is being told from etc. But I think most important is that every scene, every bit of dialogue needs to be there for a reason that is important to fully tell the story.

The ring is AWESOME!! I want one. Tell us a bit about the ring and how you came up with the idea and the visual?

So much of it just sort of fell out of my head and onto the page, it’s hard to remember now. I think Tiki had already stolen the Queen’s ring and I was trying to decide what happened next when I looked down at my wedding ring, which has diamonds in it, and they glittered like there was a fire burning in their depths and in a heartbeat I knew the true story of the Queen’s ring.

How many books are there in THE FAERIE RING series?

I’m not totally sure. The second is written and there will definitely be a third. From there, I’ll have to wait and see.

I like to close an interview with something fun so here's the last question. How do you think your fifteen year old daughter would describe you?

LOL, who knows? I’m going to go ask her…..*leaves the room*…. I’m back. Here’s what she said: *snort* “Insane.” *long pause* “No, no , no – understanding, lovable…..definitely unique. Funny.” *another snort* “Definitely smart and sarcastic. Easy to talk to and fun. How’s that?” *more snorting*

Thanks Kiki for coming by today and congrats!

To win your very own copy  of THE FAERIE RING, delivered to you by moi (a book I will buy for you with my own money because I love it that much) please leave a comment (be sure I have your email address in comment, please). For extra chances to win see below. (And let me know in your comment what you've done so I can give you points, points, and more points to win this AMAZING book).

Me buying a copy for you : )

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Winner will be announced on October 4th.