Today is the second day of The Bear of Rosethorn Ring Blog Tour. Today, I am interviewing author Kirsten Fichter and reviewing her latest fairy tale retelling, which releases today. Be sure to visit all the stops, and be doubly sure to drop by Kirsten’s website for a chance to win a book of your choice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsten Fichter is a twenty-something Christian writer who loves being the wife to her favorite person ever, mommy to two precious blessings, a piano enthusiast, a dragon buff, a serious bookworm, and an INFP synesthete. Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the “Grimm Dickens” (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). She is present in many online circles under the name “Kiri Liz” if you care about things like that. As you read this, she’ll be somewhere under a maple tree – trying very hard to finish the seventeen and half other stories she unwisely started all at once.
Author’s Pages
BoRR’s Pages
Series’s Pages
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What first inspired or gave you the “spark” to write? Is there a particular author whose books or
writing style inspired you?
I grew up with a great love for books; reading was my fondest activity, and I always thought books were
something special, came from something special. And then one day, I realized that real people wrote
books. The books didn’t just grow on trees; people created the stories and put them down on paper. That’s
when I knew that I wanted to do that, too.
The author who has probably been the biggest inspiration for me was the author who first got me hooked
on fantasy: Donita K. Paul. After I read her DragonKeeper Chronicles in high school, I knew I wanted to
write fantasy and have adventures with dragons. And there’s been no turning back since.
Every writer has a message(s) they want to impart to their readers. What is/are yours?
Family is a big theme in my books, and The Bear of Rosethorn Ring is no exception. I have always been
close to my siblings (all four sisters and one brother of them), and I’ve found that family relationships
come easily to my writing. I don’t know that I have many main characters that haven’t any siblings!
Particularly, with The Bear of Rosethorn Ring, I wanted to look at a broken family; how someone should
respond to betrayal and second chances when there hasn’t been much hope in the past. One of the key
themes I wanted to get across is that no one is worth giving up on.
How did you come to be a writer? Was this something that you always knew you were destined to
be or did you arrive at this point via another path?
Once I figured out that books could be written, I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer of some kind. At
six years old, my dream job was to become a librarian and write books to fill my own library. Even
though I penned a few short stories/kid stories early on, I didn’t take writing seriously until closer to high
school. I began writing a fantasy series about a half elf princess named Lianne, and I thoroughly enjoyed
working on her story (one day I intend to revisit it and complete it). But I didn’t know what I was truly
capable of until a friend introduced me to National Novel Writing Month – a writing competition during
the month of November in which a writer commits to write 50,000 words on a novel. NaNoWriMo
stretched my writing ability and made me fall in love all over again with writing epic fantasy.
Words of wisdom for those who are just starting out on the path?
Write. When you’re not in the mood to write, read. Read authors whose styles you admire, whose
characters stick with you, whose plots leave you fascinated and breathless. And then, if you’re still not in
the mood to write, write anyway. The worst thing a writer can do is fail to write.
The second worst thing a writer can do is fall in love with his/her own writing. Once you think you’ve
reached golden status as a writer, you cease to grow. Every writer always has something more to learn, something in his manner or delivery to work on. Keep looking for ways to grow as a writer; challenge
yourself to never stop learning how to be a better writer.
BOOK REVIEW
About the Book:
Title:The Bear of Rosethorn Ring: A Snow White and Rose Red Story (Once Upon a Twist Tales, Book #4)
Release date: April 6th, 2021
Tagline: How far would Snow White and Rose Red go to save the man behind the bear?
About the Book:
When their father runs away, Marita and Diamond Kadlec realize how different twins can be. Marita’s ready to forget Lucas entirely, but Diamond wants to give him the second chance she’s never been able to give before. That’s before they discover that Lucas is indebted to the ill-tempered D’vard and his traveling circus, the Rosethorn Ring. The Ring’s entertainment lacks a bear, and Lucas must play the part of the savage creature to regain his freedom.
Lorcan D’vard cares only for three things: tending to his beloved beard, promoting his Rosethorn Ring, and eradicating the assassin out to kill him. With time running out, D’vard agrees to cancel Lucas’s debt and let him go free – if Marita and Diamond can apprehend the assassin before the assassin ends the show.
This is Snow White and Rose Red with a twist like you’ve never seen it before.
About the Series:
Once Upon a Twist Tales are your favorite fairytales retold backwards and upside-down, with a little bit of steampunk thrown in for fun!
Other Books in the Series:
Book One ~ The Rose and the Balloon: A Beauty and the Beast Story
Book Two ~ Spindle Dreams: A Sleeping Beauty Story
Book Three ~ Diamond: A Rapunzel Story
Positive Elements:
There are strong familial bonds; characters takes risks to help family members and loved ones.
Negative Elements:
None.
Religion/Spiritual/Faith Elements:
Characters pray; there is a strong faith message.
Violence:
[MINOR SPOILER WARNINGS: FEEL FREE TO SKIP AHEAD]
It is mentioned a character was almost killed and a character burned by acid; characters are slapped and punched; characters are almost consumed by a bear.
Other:
A character gambles; it is mentioned a character gambled his daughter.
Rating:
5 Stars
Conclusion:
Fairy tale retellings, for me, are always take or leave. Either they’re marvelous or they’re mediocre. The Bear of Rosethorn Ring is definitely a take.
The characters are delightful. Marita’s and Diamond’s personalities are so well-developed, and I love the differences between the two of them. D’Vard is pill, but an amusing pill, and I’d love to see a spin-off series of more fairy tales where unfortunate characters are forced to interact with him. The character arc for Marita and Diamond’s farther is delightful, as well.
The MYSTERY! I guessed who it was, but I did NOT see that plot twist coming. The best part, though, are the bonds between characters. The bond between Marita and Diamond is wonderful and well-written, and it really brings their own personalities to shine. And the bond between Felix and Marita is so sweet. Not many would go to such lengths to help their fiancee find her father.
With delightful characters and a unique plot, The Bear of Rosethorn Ring is definitely a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red with a twist like you’ve never seen it before. Be sure to add it to your TBR pile.
*I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
April 5th
Welcome & Giveaway @ A Synesthete Writer
Author Interview @ Living Outside the Lines
Favorite Fairytales About Siblings (Guest Post) @ Lands Uncharted
Book Review @ Tower in the Plains
April 6th
Snow White and Rose Red Tag @ A Synesthete Writer
Author Interview & Book Review @ Madi’s Musings
Looking Ahead at the Twist Tales (Guest Post) @ Virtual Paper
Book Review @ E. Kaiser Writes
April 7th
Snow White and Rose Red Mad Libs @ A Synesthete Writer
Inspiration for The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (Guest Post) @ Ink Castles
Favorite Characters from the Twist Tales (Guest Post) @ Living Outside the Lines
Book Review @ Shieldmaidens of Shiloh
Book Review @ Live. Love. Read.
April 8th
The First Chapter @ A Synesthete Writer
Awesome and Obscure Fairytales (Guest Post) @ Madi’s Musings
SWRR Elements in The Bear of Rosethorn Ring (Guest Post) @ Abigail Falanga
Book Review @ Blooming with Books
April 9th
Winner & Wrap-Up @ A Synesthete Writer
Author Interview & Book Review @ Virtual Paper
Retelling an Unknown Fairytale (Guest Post) @ Live. Love. Read
Madi's Musings 
Thank you so much for being a part of the blog tour! Your interview was a lot of fun! ❤
Ooooh, don't tempt me to revisit D'vard with other books! I have too many writing projects already. *winks* But I agree. That would be SO MUCH FUN. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!
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You’re so very welcome!
Haha! I get it on too many writing projects. I *might* have a “few” myself. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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Loved the interview and enjoyed the book review! ❤
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Thanks! ❤ It's such a fun book; if asked to choose a favorite character or part, I don't know if I could!
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