Blog Tour and Q&A: If Ever I Would Leave You: Arthurian Stories For A New Generation

During college, I did a study abroad program in England. One of the classes I took was Medieval Literature, which included pouring over Arthurian legends. I still have a soft spot for sparkling metallic knights. So when I had the opportunity to sign up for If Ever I would Leave You‘s blog tour, I jumped on it!

Surfacing by Bronwyn Green

A year after Tabby Nolan’s sister vanished from the Lake Michigan shore with her boyfriend, Liam, Tabby visits the spot where the two were last seen– and finds herself pulled into the crumbling world of Avalon.

Since his disappearance, Liam has been trapped in the mythical land, with no link to the world he knew. Now, their shared memories of Tabby’s missing sister are all they can cling to as Avalon dies around them.

But Tabby doesn’t want to be a replacement for her sister, and her growing attachment to Liam feels like a betrayal. As Avalon fades around them, Liam and Tabby must rely on each other– or be lost with the ancient kingdom forever.

 

Albion’s Circle: The Deepest Cut by Jessica Jarman

For nineteen years, Anna has been plagued by dreams of lives lived only in legend. Finally free from the family that believed her hopeless and worthless, she’s ready to start her life over—alone.

When Anna meets an enigmatic stranger claiming to be the legendary wizard Merlin, she is forced to question the very reality she’s struggled to accept. With the mythic figures from her dreams intruding on her waking life, Anna learns that she’s been reborn to fight an ancient evil alongside King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Caught in an ages old conflict, Anna is the key to stopping a dark magic that will destroy the world—and Merlin wants to make sure that this time, Anna isn’t alone.

 

A Choice Fit For A Queen by Jenny Trout writing as Abigail Barnette

For perpetual overachiever Madison Lane, a summer studying Arthurian mythology in the Welsh countryside with professor Thomas Evans is a dream come true, and the adventure of a lifetime.

Of course, the enormous crush Madison developed on the professor after a semester of his lectures at U of M has absolutely nothing to do with her desire to learn more about the enduring legend of Camelot. At least, that’s what she’s telling her parents.

When Madison meets fellow student Rhys Crewe, sparks fly, throwing her plans for wild fling with Professor Evans completely out of whack—as do her unexpectedly complicated feelings for Thomas. With tales of Arthur and Lancelot haunting her every waking moment, Madison has to make the most difficult choice of her life.

Jessica kindly consented to answering a few questions for us. Here they are!

1. What made you interested in writing a new take on Arthurian lore?

I’ve always loved Arthurian legend, and have read as much as I possibly could based on it, watched whatever movies I could find. Then, not that long ago, I watched BBC’s Merlin, and fell in love with it. It’s not a perfect series, by any means, but I still adore it. Not long after that, Bronwyn and Jenny started watching it. There were many IM conversations along the way. After we’d all finished; we had the idea to do Merlin Club—basically, we live tweet each week as we watch an episode, and later in the week, we write blog posts about the episode.

With this particular story, I had this idea for a book. The heroine was very vivid in my head, and the Arthurian aspects just sort of popped in alongside her one day. I’d always wanted to do an Arthurian story, to be honest, and this one just clicked with me. And it just made sense to do this collection with Jenny and Bronwyn since they share my mad Arthurian love.

2. Favorite character in your story and why?

Oh man, that is a hard question. There are things I love about all of them, but if pressed, I’d have to say Merlin. The whole concept of Merlin—the magic, his connection with Arthur and everything—always intrigued me. As I built my Merlin, I fell in love with him. I know, that’s cheesy to say, but it’s true. His love and devotion to Anna is staggering. The things he’s willing to do for her—there are no limits, really. He’s so complex, and to be honest, I’m still figuring this guy out. And that’s part of the fun.

3. What was your biggest challenge writing this book?

The whole thing was challenging! LOL But the biggest challenge? There are some scenes with Anna that were particularly different to write. Especially writing in first person, which was new for me. To be so deep inside a character’s head, her point of view, during these moments was difficult and emotionally draining for me. But they were also some of the most rewarding scenes I’ve ever written.

4. Describe yourself in 3 words.

Snarky, Creative, Obsessive

5. What would you name your autobiography?

I think the title of my blog would fit nicely as an autobiography title—In Desperate Need of Words…and Caffeine. J

6. Where can readers find you?

Website: http://www.jessicajarman.com
Blog: http://jessicajarman.blogpost.com
Follow me on Twitter: @jessjarman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.jarman.104?fref=ts
Tumblr: http://authorjessjarman.tumblr.com
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jarmanjess/

You can buy the book here on Amazon.
Add it to your Goodreads shelf here.

About the Authors:

Jessica Jarman is an author, blogger, and rather
obsessive fangirl. Having grown up in Upper Michigan and currently living in Minnesota, she is a Midwestern girl through and through. And wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Jessica isn’t working to get words on the page, she passes the time with her amazing husband and four children, attempting to be crafty (and failing miserably), squeeling uncontrollably over her favorite shows or curling up with a good book.

 

Bronwyn Green is an author, blogger and compulsive crafter. She lives Michigan with her husband, two sons and three somewhat psychotic cats. When not frantically writing, she can be found helping in her youngest son’s classroom or binge-watching Netflix while working on her latest craft project.

Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) is a writer, blogger, and funny person. She has written award winning and bestselling erotic romance as Abigail Barnette. Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to strangle her. Visit her on twitter (@Jenny_Trout) or at her blog,jennytrout.com.