Dark Mirror Blog Tour + Giveaway: Interview with... M.J. Putney!

12:00 PM

Today I'm so happy to help take part in the blog tour celebrating yesterday's release of M.J. Putney's debut novel on the YA stage, Dark Mirror, which is a great fusion of historical fiction and magic all in one! M.J. Putney also writes national best-selling adult romance and historical fiction novels under the name of Mary Jo Putney. My review of Dark Mirror shall be up within the next upcoming days, but in the meantime, I was able to ask the author a few questions... 

Summary:
Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory's blood is tainted . . . by magic. When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she's fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she's one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society. 

But Tory's life is about to change forever. All that she's ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl's worth.

1) What is it like writing a young adult novel compared to an adult novel? 

The heart of a romance is the courtship, while the heart of a YA is a young protagonist learning, growing, and finding out who s/he is. A YA might be a little simpler in structure, but it’s no less intelligent and equally serious issues can be explored.

Ultimately, though, YA and romance are more alike than different. In both genres the goal is to write a powerful story with great characters and a plot that keeps you turning pages until you’re done!

2) Who was your favourite character to write in Dark Mirror?  

I think Tory was my favorite because as the protagonist, I was able to get more deeply into her character. I could explore her feelings as her world collapses around her—and as she discovers a new world and the person she is meant to be. But I care about all of them. My editor particularly loves Lady Cynthia, the mean girl who may have some redeeming qualities.

3) Your passion for history is very apparent in Dark Mirror. What do you hope to inspire about the past for readers? 

Philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who can’t remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” As individuals, we learn from our mistakes. (Or should!) History is a way for our society to learn from the mistakes of the past. Understanding events of the past gives us perspective, and makes it easier to endure the bad times, because good times do come again.

Besides, the past holds so many great stories! 

4) In Dark Mirror, Tory suddenly learns that she has magical abilities... if you suddenly learned you were a mage, what sort of abilities would you like to possess? 

I’d love to be able to transport myself from one place to another. (Without the side effects of going through Merlin’s Mirror, of course.) Think how great it would be to spend a weekend in Venice or Vancouver or Cape Town without the hassles of flying and jetlag! 

5) What can we hope to expect in the second novel of the series, Dark Passage?  

Lots of challenges, of course! In Dark Passage, Tory and her friends are drawn into a dangerous rescue mission very different from what they did in Dark Mirror. Relationships grow and change, too.

***

Thanks so much to M.J. Putney for stopping by and answering my questions!

To check out the other stops on M.J. Putney's blog tour to learn more about the author, the Dark Passage series and more chances to win in a giveaway, be sure to check out the full blog tour schedule below: 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 – Culture Mob
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 – Midnight Bloom Reads 
Thursday, March 3, 2011 – YA Bliss
Friday, March 4, 2011 – Eating YA Books
Saturday, March 5, 2011 – Green Bean Teen Queen
Sunday, March 6, 2011 – Love Romance Passion / Literature Young Adult Fiction
Monday, March 7, 2011 – Words for Teens
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 – Pure Imagination
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 – The Story Siren
Thursday, March 1o, 2011 – My Pal Amy
Saturday, March 12, 2011 – The Book Smugglers
Sunday, March 13, 2011 – Wondrous Reads
Monday, March 14, 2011 – Novel Voice
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 – TeenReads.com

It's giveaway time! Thanks to St. Martin's Press, I'll be giving away ONE copy of DARK MIRROR! To enter, you must have a U.S. or CANADIAN MAILING ADDRESS (sorry international folks!). You don't have to be a follower to enter and this giveaway will end on March 18, 2011. I'll use a random number generator to choose a winner, who will in turn have 48 hours give or take to respond back to my email. Good luck!

And if you're not feeling so lucky, you can purchase Dark Mirror from such sites as Chapters/Indigo, Amazon or The Book Depository. 

-GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED- 
-> Winner has been announced! <-

Share This Story

Tags: , , , ,

I'm a Canadian girl with a passion for reading! When I'm not escaping reality with a new book, I love to listen to Korean pop music or get addicted to Korean/Chinese dramas.

You Might Also Like

19 comments

  1. BLHmistressMarch 2, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I have wanted to read this book badly, Thanks for the interview. What I do love about YA or at least from what I read its geared towards more innocence about romance than heated passionate scenes which I do enjoy too but its a refreshing change.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I've heard so much about this book, I can't wait to read it! I also really like the cover too :) Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 2, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Hello darling! I have really been looking forward to reading this one! Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity<3

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ashley @ Book LabyrinthMarch 2, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Thanks for this interesting interview and the chance to win. =)

    I love the answer about being able to transport yourself, because that's always my answer, too... want to go to England? No worries about booking a flight! *CLICK* and you're there! It would be way too awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anne-MarieMarch 2, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Hi, you do nice interview, and i do hope that you'll do more in the future. Dark Miror is on my to read list on goodread, I hope I'll win the copy! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lisa Richards/alterlisaMarch 2, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    I just love that so many "adult" writers have embraced the YA genre. I wish we had had all these wonderful YA books when I was teen struggling to feed my habit.

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChrystalMarch 2, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    I keep seeing this book mentioned everywhere. Sounds so good and I loved your interview with the author. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Melissa (i swim for oceans)March 3, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Brilliant interview! This one is up next on my chopping block, and I'm so excited to take it on! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lexie@BookBugMarch 3, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    I love historical fiction! And I so appreciate all the authors who take the time to do all the research into history and write fantastic stories about it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. KhylaMarch 4, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    thank you so much for the giveaway
    and awesome post

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lindsay Cummings authorMarch 4, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    hey there! new follower from the YA blog directory!! Love the blog, i'm excited to read more! entered for the contest!

    follow me?!

    http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. VivienMarch 5, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Fabulous giveaway! New follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. TheGirlOnFireMarch 6, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    Great Giveaway! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  14. MinasMarch 7, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. DanahMarch 7, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    I want to read this book! I just added it on my to-read list. Thanks for reviewing it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jolene and FamilyMarch 8, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Thanks so much for the chance to win, this book sounds amazing

    ReplyDelete
  17. Carina L. TaiMarch 8, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Wonderful giveaway! thanks so much!

    -Carina
    http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. ~Mallary~March 13, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Thanks for the giveaway! Before reading your post, I had never heard of this book before, but I'm so glad I have now! Sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
  19. KrystalMarch 18, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    This book sounds so good - I can't wait to read it.
    Great giveaway.

    ReplyDelete