Hi friends! I’m really pleased to have gotten the chance to ask Jennifer Estep some questions that tie into her newest release Tear Down the Throne, which came out Tuesday! I’m actually a little surprised that I’ve never had her as a guest before! She’s super nice and a great author. Congratulations on your newest release, and without further ado … Jennifer! 

1. What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned when researching for your books? What about for this particular series?

JE: I always say that I write fantasy books so I can make the whole thing up and so I don’t have to do any research. LOL. 

But I actually do a fair amount of research for my books, including for Tear Down the Throne and the other books in my Gargoyle Queen adult epic fantasy series. I’ve definitely gone down some Internet rabbit holes when researching things like mythology, weapons, and more. 

But most of the time, I end up researching odd little details – like, can you eat the skin on a kiwi? Things that no one will probably even notice in a book but me, but things that will bother me if I don’t know the answers. 

(I knew this one! Food 52 had a “whole thing” about it… )

2. I know we’re not supposed to ask, but … who is your favorite character – or – who do you most identify with in the Gargoyle Queen series/universe?

JE: I always enjoy writing my secondary characters, especially since they often get the best lines in my books. One of my favorite characters in my Gargoyle Queen series is Grimley, Gemma Ripley’s beloved gargoyle. Grimley is very protective of Gemma … along with his nap schedule. I can definitely identify with Grimley’s love of naps. LOL. 

I also really like Queen Maeven Morricone. She does a lot of bad/evil things, but she always has a reason for what she does, and all the shades of gray to her character are really fun and fascinating for me to write. 

3. Does your process change when you write different characters or books? E.g. the location of where you write, the music you listen to, the snacks you eat, etc.

JE: My process is pretty much the same for every book. I’m pretty boring in that I just sit in my office and write. I don’t listen to music while I write, as I find that I just end up tuning it out. I will sometimes do playlists for my books, though, and share songs that I think go well with a particular character, scene, etc.

Gummy bears are probably my favorite writing snack. The more sugar I eat, the faster I can write, right? At least, that’s my theory, although I’m not sure how accurate it actually is. LOL. 

4. I think we’ve all noticed food has a major role in your books. (Yum!) Has writing your books ever given you specific food cravings?

JE: Thanks! I do like writing about food. 😀

I definitely get cravings! Many of the times when I’m writing a food scene, I will sit at the computer and think about what I would like to eat. And a lot of those times, it will end up being a dessert, like the sweet cakes, cornucopia, and other treats that Gemma eats in my Gargoyle Queen series. I have a big sweet tooth in real life, and that often shows up in my characters/books.  

5. What would be your anti superhero power?

JE: I don’t know how much of a superpower it really is, but I have a pretty good memory. Like, I’ll be talking to someone at a book conference, and they will tell me where they are from. Then I might see that person at another conference a few years later, and I’ll ask them something like “So, are you still living in Minnesota?” 

I just have this weird knack for remembering little details that people tell me. Sadly, I don’t think that will ever help me achieve world domination like a true supervillain, though. LOL.  

Thanks so much for hosting me. I appreciate it. Happy reading, everyone!  

BIO: Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. 
Tear Down the Throne, book #2 in her Gargoyle Queen adult epic fantasy series, was released May 3. 
Jennifer is also the author of the Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, Elemental Assassin, Section 47, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

A big thank you to Jennifer for answering my silly questions! Because I figure you’ll want information about the actual book … and the cover is so pretty it’s worth reposting, here you go!

 

Bestselling author Jennifer Estep continues her Gargoyle Queen epic fantasy series where magic reigns, alliances are tested, and a dangerous attraction could tear down a throne. . .

Crown princess. Clever spy. Powerful mind magier. Gemma Ripley of Andvari is all those things—and determined to stop an enemy from using magical tearstone weapons to conquer her kingdom.

Gemma’s quest for answers leads her to a trade Summit between the various kingdoms. Among the other royals in attendance is Queen Maeven Morricone of Morta and her son, Prince Leonidas—Gemma’s charming and dangerous nemesis.

Gemma knows that Maeven always has a long game in motion, and sure enough, the cunning queen invokes an arcane tradition that threatens the fragile truce between Andvari and the other kingdoms. Despite her best intentions, Gemma once again finds herself thrown together with Leo and battling her growing feelings for the enemy prince.

When a series of deadly attacks shatters the Summit’s peaceful negotiations, Gemma realizes that someone wants to tear the royals down from their thrones—and that this enemy just might succeed.