First Interview of the Twinja round table-Edge of Truth's author Natasha Hanova +5 book Paperback and amazon giveaway

Rearing into gear for our first interview, I had the opportunity to read this book from another author. :) So author support is booming. I received the book and was able to finish it in time for her interview to post. The review can be found here. And now without further adieu!

1. We're pleased to have discovered you through a past author we've reviewed, Jacinda Buchmann, But for our readers that aren't familiar with you, could you please do us the honors of introducing yourself!

Hello everyone! Guinevere and Libertad, thanks for having me.

My name is Natasha Hanova. I write young adult and adult dystopian, paranormal romance, and dark fantasy. Plus, I’m a mama to twins + one. Guess that makes me a Twinja, once removed…?

2.  What is the journey you took to get your book published?

I queried a number of agents and got a few nibbles, before approaching small press publishers. Soon after I queried Sapphire Star Publishing, they asked for a full and a few weeks later offered me a contract! Edge of Truth came out a year later.

3. What do you find to be the most challenging when it comes to writing a book?

Finding time to write can be a challenge.  During the actual writing, sometimes my characters get stingy with information and I can’t ‘see’ the scene. When I write, I don’t want to feel like I’m watching events unfold on the big screen. I want to fall into the story, disappear into the setting so I can fully understand how it affects my character.

Sometimes, my characters don’t feel like talking. When that happens, I gaze at pictures of them (either taped to my wall or on my computer desktop) and it gets the words flowing. If that doesn’t work, I’ll work on a different manuscript, which inevitably makes my character jealous and start talking again.

4. All this talk about books, how could we forget to ask.....Tell our readers what your book is about!

Sixteen-year-old Rena Moon feels like a prisoner, oppressed by the Overlord’s laws, bound by household rules, even captive to her emotions. When she grows angry, the earth shakes. She restrains the tightly coiled power, until her best friend is kidnapped. Nevan, her long-time crush, joins the rescue mission into volatile lands where Rena’s mood slips toward the edge of control. She must decide what moral boundaries she’s willing to breach and what regrets she can bear.

5.What attracted you to write in the dystopian genre?

Watching how cultures change when they have to start with a ‘clean’ slate. Initially with Edge of Truth, I wanted to explore what would happen if there was no middle class. The beyond wealthy people live in Eden. Everyone else, including Rena, live in Hollowcrest. I wanted it to be a clear division: rich or poor. However, the characters had something else in mind and came up with their own caste system. Also, I love watching how resourceful people become without modern technology.

6.  We talk a lot about diversity and multiculturalism on our blog, and I've talked a lot about it together in the past. How important do you find incorporating multiculturalism and diversity in your writing? 

I’m biracial, but don’t come across many biracial characters in books. This influenced me when creating Nevan Jelani, Rena’s love interest whose dad is black and mom is white. Rena is black, yet her best friend is white.

In Rena, I think readers will find a strong character who constantly runs up against roadblocks while chasing her dream, yet she refuses to give up or give in. She’s the kind of character I would’ve like to have read as a teen.

7. What/Who inspired your main character, Rena? Is she a little bit of you as a teen?

I first met Rena in a dream when she was four. She was hiding under the floorboards of her house while strange men beat up her father in an attempt to force him to reveal her location. This scene isn’t in the book, but it made me wonder why they wanted her. I discovered she lived in an oppressive, futuristic society where turning over people with special abilities was profitable. As far as whether she’s a little bit of me as a teen is concerned, I think the only thing I have in common with Rena is her resourcefulness. She’s a big sister, I’m a little sister, but not an irritating one like her brothers. I was always very sweet and kind and generous with my older siblings no matter what they tell you.

8.Let's put a picture to your characters! Any actresses/actors you visualize as your main characters?

*Claps hands* One of my favorite questions. So, for Rena, I’d say Chanel Iman, only with a splatter of freckles across the ridge of her nose and cheeks.

For Nevan, Jason Momoa, only seventeen, bi-racial, and with one hazel/one blue eye.

For Rena’s best friend Blaze, Anneliese van der Pol.

9. What should we look forward to from you as far as upcoming projects?

A sequel to Edge of Truth is in the works. I’m also working on another YA paranormal about Lexi, who is the only girl Called to hunt since the brotherhood first formed centuries ago. She struggles against the patriarchal traditions that deem her unworthy, while facing the evil that killed her predecessor.

  

10. Where can your new readers get in contact with you?

Natasha Hanova's Official Website

Natasha's Goodreads Page

Like Natasha's Facebook Page

Follow Natasha on Twitter

Follow Natasha on Pinterest

Contact Natasha!

Showing that Author Pride at a book signing!

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