Book Launch Blog Tour : Jennifer Silverwood, Craving Beauty

Happy Sunday!

How is your day going? Are you having a busy, productive day? Or a more relaxed, reflective type of Sunday? Either way, I hope you’re enjoying your weekend 🙂

Today I have the special honor of sharing an interview with author Jennifer Silverwood, author of three series—Wylder Tales, Heaven’s Edge Novellas, and the Borderlands Saga—and the stand-alone romance titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight. This interview is a stop on Lola’s Blog Tours for Jennifer’s new young adult book, Craving Beauty, the first of the Wylder Tales Series.

A dark tale of enchantment and woe, perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, Craving Beauty is the first installment of the epic Wylder Tales Series!

Nineteen-year-old Vynasha’s life is no fairy tale. The fire that killed her sisters was her fault, and the magic that saved her nephew cannot heal their scars. They shouldn’t have survived, and the villagers either fear or loathe them. Until a mysterious stranger saves her, giving Vynasha the key to finding the only family they have left.

With nothing to lose, Vynasha dares the journey into the forbidden Wylderland. Through dangers untold, she makes her way to the forgotten city, but more than ghosts linger in the castle. A wicked curse shadows the land, shadows whisper that the one to break their curse has come, and a beastly prince makes a bargain Vynasha cannot refuse.

Become the beast’s bride or become a monster herself.

Interview:

Take a read below as Jennifer and I discuss the details of her new release and she shares her writing process with us!

Winter Betancourt: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “Craving Beauty” and how the concept for the Wylder Tales Series came to you?

Jennifer Silverwood: I was inspired by the origins of fairy tales and folklore, the “truth” buried beneath the legends we continue to retell today. So while Craving Beauty leans heavily into one of my favorite fairy tales, there are pieces and slivers of historical context, along with the question of magic. What if magic was real, if not now, then “once upon a time,” and how would a character like Vynasha be impacted by the stigma of “witchcraft?

WB: The novel revolves around the theme of dark enchantment and curses. What drew you to explore this darker side of fairy tales in your writing?

JS: I’ll never forget the first time I read the original Grimm version of Cinderella. A far cry from Disney’s 50s animated classic, the Grimm brothers paint a much more gruesome ending for the stepsisters. While there’s a place for lighter fairytales, I’ve always been more drawn to stories with a darker edge. Many older tales often give villains, and even heroes, gruesome consequences for their choices. I think it says a lot about the times these stories were told, when the world was a bit more openly cutthroat. We’re softer in many ways today, but the instinct is still here within us.

WB: Vynasha is a complex and relatable protagonist. How did you develop her character, and were there any real-life influences that helped shape her journey?

JS: Vynasha is a character I’ve been growing acquainted with for several years now. With each new draft of the story, her personality also developed and grew into what you see today. I’m attached to all my characters, but Vynasha especially for craving family more than beauty, and a home more than love. It’s hard to point at specific influences besides my own journey in creating a family, of losing loved ones and finding them. Perseverance in the face of tragedy is the truest test of character, and in this case, the making of Vynasha. 

WB: The forbidden Wylderland is a vividly imagined and atmospheric setting in the book. How did you go about world-building and creating the magical elements that exist in this world?

JS: I’ve also been lucky enough to travel extensively in the past and spent several weeks in Romania and Transylvania. The land was almost ethereal in its beauty. And the stories our translator shared with me, about wolves coming down from the mountain forests in winter, formed my original inspiration for Wylderland.  

WB: The book’s description mentions that the fire that killed Vynasha’s sisters was her fault. How does this guilt influence her decisions throughout the story, and how does she cope with the burden of her past?

JS: Vynasha saved her nephew through luck and magic, but she couldn’t save Wyll’s mother. Her guilt is transferred into a drive to keep her nephew alive at all costs, even her own wellbeing. It is also the push behind her need to find her missing father and brother to make up for their loss. As far as coping, Vynasha isn’t coping truly. She’s too busy surviving.

WB: The idea of a beastly prince making a bargain with Vynasha adds an intriguing twist to the story! Without giving too much away, can you share how this relationship develops and its impact on Vynasha’s journey?

JS: The beastly prince has a special connection with Vynasha,which began long before she made the journey to Wylderland. As he’s watched her endure and survive from afar, he’s become more invested than he originally planned. Vynasha is surprised and intrigued by him in return. They both see themselves as monsters of a different sort, and this sparks an unlikely friendship. 

WB: “Craving Beauty” is the first installment in the Wylder Tales Series. Can you give us a glimpse of what readers can expect in future books, and are there any particular themes you plan to explore in the series?

JS: Yes! We can expect to dive headfirst into more of the lore, the wylderfolk, and the nature of magick in coming installments. Vynasha will be tested and her relationships challenged as she discovers what happened to her brother, as she tries to get her nephew back, and as she is forced to battle the curse over Wylderland. Oh, and you can definitely expect lots more brooding beasts and romance 😉

WB: Dark fantasy often allows authors to delve into thought-provoking themes. Are there any specific themes or messages that you hope readers will take away from “Craving Beauty”?

JS: Don’t give up. No matter how bleak life becomes, or how terrible things may be, don’t give up. Keep surviving, keep fighting, and allow yourself to hope. There are several themes and messages woven throughout Craving Beauty, but this is the one I hope readers come away with. I wrote this story through some of the most difficult years of my life, when I felt like I was barely hanging by a thread most days. But it does get better, you will get stronger, and you’re surrounded by more love than you know. 

WB: As a young adult author, what do you find most rewarding about writing for this audience, and do you have any advice for aspiring authors who want to write compelling stories for young adults?

JS: I’ve kept a journal since I was six years old. While I’m not as dedicated to keeping up with it these days, I wrote endlessly throughout my teens. I love rereading those journals, even if they make me cringe. It brings me back to those feelings and those memories I might have forgotten, when everything seemed bigger in a lot of ways. Bigger risks, bigger rewards. And I felt a lot less then. I don’t think any of us forget that feeling. This is why I love writing young adult stories. It’s not about necessarily focusing on a specific audience for me. I can’t exactly relate to what teens currently face, and newer trends and lingo would be lost on me. But the “song remains the same” as Led Zeppelin wrote. And if I can empower teens and encourage them to overcome their worst fears or personal tragedies, then that’s more than enough of a reward for me. 

WB: I see you’re a mom of two! How do you carve time to write into a busy day? What is your writing routine?

JS: Ever since I had my baby girl, I’ve written almost exclusively on my phone. I carve out time during feedings, and while rocking my girl to sleep, or back to sleep in the dead of night. I outline in Notes and then work on drafts with the Word app. It’s not ideal, and my thumbs are always tired after. But since I use my computer for work, it’s been really freeing to free-write on my phone. Sometimes changing up your writing venue can do that, help your mind think in different ways, or push you outside the box. Above all, I try to be kind to myself. Whether I write ten or a thousand words in a day, it’s always a win in my book. And there’s always tomorrow. To quote L.M. Montgomery: “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it… yet.”

Thank you Jennifer for telling us more about the inspiration and writing process behind Craving Beauty! I love fairytales too, and I really enjoyed learning that the story is inspired by the mountains and fascinating legends of Transylvania. Craving Beauty is now available, check out the links below !

Thank you all for reading and for sharing your Sunday with me. Wishing you an inspirational and happy rest of the day with lots of great writing and reading throughout ❤️

-Winter

Links:

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123225831-craving-beauty

– Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/craving-beauty-by-jennifer-silverwood

– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C917JNV1

– iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/craving-beauty-wylder-tales-vol-1/id6450556552

– Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/craving-beauty-jennifer-silverwood/1122855886

– Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/craving-beauty-wylder-tales-vol-1

– Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1412567

– Angus & Robertson: https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebooks/craving-beauty-wylder-tales-vol1-jennifer-silverwood/p/9798215684702

– Mondadori: https://books.mondadoristore.it/Craving-Beauty-Wylder-Tales-Jennifer-Silverwood/eae979821568470

– Books2Read: https://books2read.com/wyldertales1