Read on for our interview with Liz and a giveaway of her book, Tangi's Teardrops.
When Tangi's father dies, he leaves her nothing but three empty bottles. A kind uncle takes the poverty-stricken girl and her stepsisters in, and for a time life gets better on his farm. But Tangi remains a lonely outsider; her stepsisters tease her for her crippled leg, and the housekeepers use her like a servant.Just before her thirteenth birthday, Tangi learns the truth about her father's strange legacy: the three bottles aren't empty any more. They're filled with all the tears she's cried since her father died, and her tears are enchanted. She must use them to travel to Rosevine, the world of her dead mother. Tangi not only belongs there but is necessary to keep Rosevine alive.
Tangi's tears will save Rosevine, and Rosevine will save Tangi from a cruelty-filled life, except for one thing: Tangi's lost the bottles.
Tangi's Teardrops is currently available in exchange for a review in the Making Connections - YA Edition group on Goodreads. Follow this link to sign up!
-----------
When did you first know you wanted to write?
Actually, I can’t remember a specific time when I knew I wanted to write. I just started writing. I was always a dreamer and I enjoyed making up stories. In the beginning I just wrote for me. If I read a book and I wasn’t satisfied by the ending, I made up my own. I guess the need to write was always there from the start.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. A career I would enjoy every step of the way. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as doing something that you love.
Tell us a little bit about Tangi.
Tangi is a twelve year old handicapped girl who is surrounded by people who hurt her for no given reason. All she ever wants is for others to look at her and not see her imperfections. But they do, and they use them to weaken her, both physically and emotionally. In short, Tangi’s Teardrops is about a little girl who dreams of becoming something bigger than herself, who craves acceptance and love. This is a story of suffering and pain, hope, love and of course dreams coming true. Tangi’s Teardrops is inspired by a painful part of my childhood.
A reader described the novel perfectly:
“The story's told in two very distinct halves. Swift clear writing quickly pulls readers into African village life as Tangi attends her father's funeral and goes to live with a beloved uncle. Evil stepsisters and cruel servants make her life a misery at home while schoolchildren tease her for her handicap and call her Limpy. But Tangi's father left her a curious gift--three empty glass bottles.
The stark realism of this first half to the story gives way to magical hopes when Tangi learns what those bottles contain. Soon she finds herself in a wholly different world, thrillingly beautiful but fatally flawed, and only love can save it. This magical world becomes as real as Africa in the author's hands and the story of Tangi's search for the shape of true love is beautifully told--not a flutter in the heart, not a determination to save, but something more that can't be found without risk and commitment.” (Review by Sheila Deeth).
What was your favorite scene to write?
I had so many favorite scenes. I loved the scene where Tangi discovers who she really is, her release from suffering and physical pain, and her entrance into Rosevine, the land that could make all her dreams come true. If everything works out.
What do you feel was the hardest part of writing your book?
Tangi’s Teardrops is inspired by a painful part of my childhood. It was sometimes hard to relive the memories.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Writing had been my hidden talent until I finally published my two novels. Now, I can tell you about others. I love to create my own jewelry and to design book covers as well as digital scrapbook elements (in Photoshop). Take a peek here http://bit.ly/Mhmnsm and here http://bit.ly/Ma5gO5
What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing my next novel, Honeysuckle & Jasmine, which is also inspired by a true story.
The story is about two African Au-Pairs (from very different backgrounds) who meet in a fictional town in Germany and embark on a journey that leads them to the true meaning of friendship. Together they laugh, they cry they live, they grow. And then everything changes. Suddenly their carefree days are over and the struggles that come with living in a foreign country begin. The only thing that can hold them together, when everything falls apart, is their friendship.
You can get a sneak peek at the cover I designed for the novel here: http://bit.ly/Nku67x
The novel will be published at the end of this year.
Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. I enjoyed answering your questions. I hope your followers and friends will give Tangi’s Teardrops a chance.
Liz Grace Davis is a Namibian author. She grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Germany. She now lives with her husband in Vienna, Austria. Growing up, Liz spent most of her days in school libraries, diving into the world of books. In her spare time she loves to travel as well as creating jewelry and digital scrapbooks. She's in her element when she is doing anything that requires creativity.
Liz is the author of a young adult fantasy novel, Tangi's Teardrops and a contemporary romance novel, Chocolate Aftertaste.
You can find Liz here:
Goodreads
Novel Moments (Blog)
Liz_davis1@yahoo.com
You can find the book here:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
----------
To win your own copy of Tangi's Teardrops, (epub or mobi) simply leave a comment with your email address. Winner will be drawn randomly from all the comments Friday, September 7.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great interview. I have this book on my Kindle and I'm looking forward to reading.
ReplyDelete