Monday, May 25, 2015

Blog Tour Guest Post and Giveaway: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen

Happy Memorial Day! I hope all of you have had an amazing and safe weekend! I'm so happy to be part of this tour because it is one of my most favorites out there right now in YA.

You can check out my review of the last book Lion Heart, in case you missed it.

I adore this series. And while I was sad to see it end, I absolutely loved the ending and truly couldn't have asked for a better one that stayed true to the historic details, the plot and characters of the story.

Which, is why I'm so excited to bring you a guest post from Gaughen today. If you haven't tried this series, I can't stress enough how wonderful it is. I really hope you give it a second look because not only is the story and characters amazing, but so are the covers!




Published By: Bloomsbury (June 2, 2015)
Series: Book Three in the Scarlet Trilogy
Genre: YA Historical/Retelling

Book Description:
The eagerly-awaited conclusion to the Scarlet trilogy delivers another action-packed and romance-filled adventure.

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all? 





About the Author:



I am shamelessly addicted to staying up far too late (it feels like stealing time), diet coke (it burns so good), Scotland (stupid country stole my heart and won't give it back. Interpol has been ineffective for prosecution) and thieves (so I guess I'm not that mad at Scotland). 





Guest Post:

1. Why a series about Robin Hood?

It seems like a really simple question, but asking “why a series about Robin Hood” isn’t simple at all. Because to me, Scarlet, Lady Thief and Lion Heart aren’t just about Robin Hood—in fact, they might not be about Robin Hood at all.

But clearly, Robin is IN there, right? It’s a Robin Hood story. And to make matters weirder, it’s not like this is some sexy, unheard of story—Robin Hood gets rewritten roughly every 5-10 years, and has for literally hundreds of years. The story is told in every medium out there. There’s something incredibly pervasive about this story that continually appeals to audiences, that transcends age and time. There’s something eternal here.

For a writer, that can be totally damning—it’s hard enough to find your voice enough to write a story, much less a story that literally everyone ever already knows. You walk into a bookstore, and you see every book as intimidating—much less every book that is literally about the same characters.

The whole reason I felt like I could write this story was because it was never was about Robin Hood for me. Obviously a huge part of it was about the way I always understood Will Scarlet—someone dark and shadowed, someone whose story hadn’t been told. But that opened up so much more for me—when I looked back at history, what was missing? What story hadn’t been told?

That is what the series has always been about for me—highlighting some inconsistencies within history, finding a narrative that felt fresh and relevant and like I was bringing something to light that wasn’t there before. Honestly, this is what writing is all about for me—figuring out what the story is that only I can tell, and trusting that I have something unique and special to say.


Because we’re all telling stories that have been told a hundred times over; we’re all telling stories that still matter. So why Robin Hood? Because it was the story that I had to tell.





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46 comments:

  1. I just ordered the first book recently after reading your and Jenny's reviews. You were both very convincing, I must admit.
    I have to agree with this take on modern literature. We are basically writing/reading the same story over and over again, but there are still new things to give, and when that new perspective demands to be told, it can only result in a trilogy like this one, universally loved, it seems.

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    1. Yay! I'm so excited that you did Maja. I can't wait to see what you think about them!

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  2. I love the story of Robin Hood. Great guest post.

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  3. I really like the idea of the series and I confess that all the good reviews made mereally curious as well. thanks for the post!

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    1. Glad we could pique your curiosity Melliane!

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  4. And she did a fantastic job at that. I loved how this series wasn't about Rob, but how it was about every character involved.
    Thanks for sharing, Ali!

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  5. I love retellings and seeing how authors will have their own voice come through it it. Always neat to see :D

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    1. Definitely Anna, I love that aspect of it too.

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  6. I love her answer! This story was definitely about Will Scarlet, with AMAZING tidbits of Robin. And this was just an amazing end to the series. <3

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  7. "Because it was the story that I had to tell." I love that!! It's so exciting to read about what people want to say~

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    1. So true Eileen! And I love those stories that seems to haunt the writers until they tell them.

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  8. I've got this entire series on my tbr list as every review seems to convince me more that I'm going to love meeting Scarlet and Rob! Thank you for the great guest post giving us a look into why this retelling.
    Have a terrific Memorial Day, Ali :)

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    1. Thanks so much Kim and you too! I can't wait to see what you think of them all. :D

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  9. I adored the first two books in this series, and I love reading about the Robin Hood story, as I love any part of British history, and I feel as this has been overlooked by most. Great guest post!

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    1. I agree, more people need to know about this series! Thank you so much for stopping by Sophie!!

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  10. Ah, Robin Hood. The original bad boy who did good deeds but would never be fully reformed :) Loved the interview! Happy Monday :)

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  11. Ooh thanks for sharing this!! I own book one at home, yet wait to get the full series before reading it :P Hopefully soon!!

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    1. I hope you love it when you try it. The writing takes some getting use to at first but once you do, it is amazing!

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  12. I have heard so many amazing things about this series. I actually didn't realize that it was a Robin Hood retelling, so now I want to read it even more!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  13. I really need to get back into this series. I loved the first book, but I might have to re-read or find a refresher course on line. Haha! Well, Ms. Gaughen, I appreciate your retelling of Robin Hood. I've always been a fan. :)

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    1. I'm so glad you already love this series Joy! I hope you like the second and third book as well. :D

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  14. I just recently discovered this series and while I haven't read it yet, I hope I love it when I get to it because the covers are gorgeous!!

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    1. They do have gorgeous covers! I hope you end up loving this series as much as I have!

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  15. Oh. MY. GOSH.....I am so so so so so excited about this! I love Robin Hood! LOVE. This sounds absolutely amazing. I am excited to read this. So very excited. I think the reason I liked the movie Robin Hood with Kevin Costner so much, because it was his story about how he "became" Robin Hood. You have me all up in arms...I am buying them now.

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  16. Robin Hood is one story that I can read over and over in tons of retellings. I like how unique she made her story. I only read the first but it felt distinctly unique to me!

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    1. It really is a unique story line. You need to read the rest now Candace, you will love it even more. ;)

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  17. Ooh thanks for the chance to win! I am behind on this series but I'm convinced I have to catch up after reading so many wonderful reviews!

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  18. wow great giveaway ALi!! Thanks so much. I have been dying to read this series. :) I hope you have a great weekend

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  19. I really like the cover and synopsis of Lion Heart, and I enjoyed reading the guest post.

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  20. I can't wait to read this series! It sounds so cool and I haven't read any Robin Hood retellings yet!

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    1. Oh gosh, you are in for a treat then, it is fabulous!

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  21. I have heard so many great things about this series! I love retellings, so this seems like a book that is right up my alley.

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  22. (Alisha Sienkiel in rafflecopter)

    I've heard some very good things about this series and I think I would love to read a Robin Hood retelling!!!! Thanks for the chance! :)

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