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It’s time to find out why she has this power.

“I did.”

“Right here.”

“Are not,” I retorted.

~Buy THE DRAGON IN THE GARDEN (only 99c during the tour!):


-What inspired you to become a writer?

I think that all kids start out storytellers. (I mean look at some of the whoppers we used to tell!) Some just keep going. I certainly did. I loved reading more than almost anything else so it seemed the most natural thing in the world that I would write my own books someday. Every night that I can remember I’ve fallen asleep making up new adventures. I drive around town choreographing swordfights in my head. When I go running I’m devising new spells. Even if I had never been published I would still be writing.

Oh, that’s easy. I’d ride the dragon, Daisy (also known as Gwrydd). Who wouldn’t?

Hmmmm… that is a hard one. I actually learned a TON while researching The Dragon in The Garden. Most of it had to do with angel lore (Did you know that there are more than one kind of fallen angel?), dragons (The name Gwrydd means green in Welsh.), and swords (The sword Durendal from The Song of Roland really does have a legendary female twin, Durendala.). But I think the most fun fact I learned is that you can grill sauerkraut and it is delicious!!!

Hands down, Alex. He’s the brother of my main character, Siobhan (pronounced Sha-vaughn). He’s handsome, goofy, can dance, and best of all he’s a professional chef. Can you say yum? And I mean that on a lot of levels!

-What do you enjoy reading in your free time?

I love many genres: historical fiction, mysteries, memoire, sci-fi. However, my favorite go-to is fantasy so there I enjoy Glen Cook, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kim Harrison, Mercedes Lackey, and David Eddings. I’m also part of a fabulous critique group named the Beer & Bacon Babes (yes, we call ourselves babes- cheeky grin) so any of their works I always love to settle back and enjoy. Currently from our group Wendy Spinale has recently released Everland (a steampunk retelling of Peter Pan), M. Pepper Langlinais put out The Fall and Rise of Peter Stoller (a spy thriller set in 1960’s London), and if you have a small child in your life you MUST check out both the Isabella and Alexander series of picture books by Jennifer Fosberry.

I think I would have a hard time with the more literary genres, particularly the modern ilk. For instance, Gone Girl is an amazingly well-written book, but I intensely disliked almost every character in it. The lone exception being Nick’s sister, Margo. Now I realize that this visceral reaction is likely what Flynn sought to achieve, however, for me? I want characters who are people I can relate to, respect, even my villains need to have some complexity, some thwarted desire that we can understand. I’d like people to finish one of my books and feel lifted up, like their day just got better, not weighed down and depressed. 

On a personal level she loves spicy food, twilight, dark chocolate (with sea salt-yum!) and nickel slots at Vegas. Erika lives for time with friends, a nice glass of red wine, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" & "Doctor Who" and good conversation. Her favorite things to do are running, cooking, reading, needlework, gardening... and of course, writing. Erika's music of choice is heavy metal. To pick her out in a lineup you should know that she is very short, fairly loud, and has dark eyebrows. The rest, as her hero Anne McCaffrey once said in her bio, "is subject to change without notice".

Erika resides in Northern California with her incredibly hot husband, their three amazing kids, and their chocolate Labrador named Selkie. To reach Erika regarding her books, wine recommendations, or to debate which Iron Maiden album is the best (clearly, it's Brave New World), you can find her online at erikagardner.com.

Find her online:

-Critique group’s blog
-Twitter @Erika_Gardner

~Follow the rest of the tour

Posted by Mary at 2:30 AM Labels: book tour, Erika Gardner, fantasy, goddess fish, interview, The Dragon in the Garden

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