Interview With Lisa Mantchev

I first met Lisa Mantchev last year on Twitter a few months before her first novel, EYES LIKE STARS, hit the shelves. We struck up a conversation, discovered a mutual love of cupcakes, and before I knew it, an ARC (advanced reading copy) was on its way to me, and she was set to do a series of guest posts on my blog. The ARC arrived, and I devoured it in one gulp. EYES LIKE STARS is enchanting, gorgeous and breathtakingly unique. I was captivated from the start and thought about the story long after I'd reached The End. I've waited a year to get my hands on the sequel, and thought it only fitting to have Lisa back on the blog to celebrate the release of her next amazing story. Here's a peek at PERCHANCE TO DREAM:

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Lisa chose to be interviewed by the always charming Captain Jack Sparrow.

Captain Jack



Lisa Mantchev



In Lisa's books, the heroine Bertie is "helped" (And often hindered!) by a handful of mischievous, pasty-loving fairies who consistently provide comic relief. It's not uncommon to see a fairy with excellent intentions be sidetracked and sidelined by a gorgeous piece of cake. My hubby decided to enter the spirit of fairy fun with the cupcake he made for Lisa. So, without further ado, I give you the cupcake (titled Beware Of The Bewitching Cupcake, or What Happens When Tiny Fairy Meets Giant Cupcake) and Lisa's interview.



1. Would you classify yourself as a pirate or a member of Her Majesty’s Royal navy? Why?

Definitely pirate. I don't like playing by the rules. The actual presence of rules chafes like 100 grit sandpaper. (Ok, not completely... some rules are actually helpful, but knowing when to break them is key.)


2. A pirate, eh? I like where this is heading. What’s your favorite thing to do in Tortuga?

Plunder and pillage like it's Halloween!


3. My kind of woman! I’m offering you free passage aboard my ship to anywhere in the world. Where shall we go, love?

Mmmm. It's a little land-locked, but I'm always up for Paris. I vote we dock in Calais and ride in together. *bats eyelashes atchoo*


4. I don't understand the attraction of a land-locked city, but I'm willing to play along for a little while. Who is the hero of your story most like: me (savvy, debonair, and unquestionably smooth with the ladies), the insufferably honorable Will Turner, or that deceptive little minx Elizabeth?

I'd say Beatrice (Shakespeare Smith) is a decent combination of all three... she's got principles, but can be pretty ruthless when it comes to getting what she wants!


5. Principles are pesky little things. Rum? Or more rum?

I would have said "yes and yes," but given that I am percolating a tiny personage in my midsection, the rum is going to have to wait for a bit.


6. More rum for me, my darling! Which leads me to the age old question: Why is the rum always gone?

I had you drink my share!


7. *looks around* Is that what happened? What’s the most piratish thing you’ve ever done?

We did roast Mister Cotton's Parrot last year for International Talk Like A Pirate Day (All right, all right, it was a Cornish game hen, and there were two of them, and I wouldn't really eat a parrot, unless I was trapped on a deserted island and it was between that and cannibalism...)


8. My dear, parrots most definitely do not taste of chicken. Don't let anyone tell you different. Are they rules? Or more like guidelines?

Definitely guidelines. Remember how I said I don't like playing by the rules?


9. I think we should run away together! After, of course, we procure more rum. I understand you’re a story-teller. Any undead monkeys in your stories?

Not anymore. The fairies tied him up and tossed him into the basement with a marshmallow stuffed in his piehole!


10. Fairies sound like wicked little creatures. I do hope you don't turn them against me. If you have no undead monkeys, have you any curses? Heartless monsters? Irritating women who insist on taking matters into their own hands?

How about a scrimshaw medallion, an enchanted theater, four cake-loving fairies, a Sea Goddess with dire need for vengeance, and a long-lost family?|


11. Yes to the medallion, the theater, and I suppose to the family, as long as they've brought rum. You can keep your Sea Goddess. I've already dealt with one of those. And I think we've established how I feel about fairies. One of my favorite words is “egregious.” Care to share one of yours, love?

I seem to have used "indefatigable" quite a bit lately.


12. A truly remarkable word! I often use it to describe my penchant for rum. Or that sly minx Elizabeth's ability to constantly muck up every perfectly laid plan. Parlay? Or draw your sword?

I vote we SAY "parlay" and then stab everyone within sword's reach!


13. Darling, I need a moment. I'm overcome with adoration for your utter pirate-ness. What say you and me "parlay" our way through the nearest port? *waits* I'll take that as a yes. You’ve got a crowd of cursed sailors and a nasty sea monster on your trail. How do you escape?

Down the rabbit hole.


14. I don't know what you mean, but if there's rum at the end and a chance to "parlay," I'm in. Romantic night in? Or adventure on the high seas?

*doesn't believe those things are mutually exclusive!*


15. It's decided, then. We shall run away together, "parlaying" our way to treasure, adventure, and rum. Just leave the fairies behind, my love. They make me shudder. My personal motto is: Take what you want, give nothing back. What’s yours?

Eat Dessert First. =)

Thank you, Lisa, for the fun interview. And for writing such captivating stories! To learn more about Lisa, visit her website. To purchase EYES LIKE STARS (which just came out in paperback) or PERCHANCE TO DREAM (Which comes out May 25th), head here. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Lisa's Giveaway:

Lisa is giving away an ARC of PERCHANCE TO DREAM to one lucky commenter. And because I'm SUCH a fan of hers, I'm throwing in a chance for another commenter to win the paperback edition of EYES LIKE STARS! Here's how to enter.

1. Earn entries:

*Comment on this post = 1 entry

*Be a follower of this blog = 2 entries

*Tweet the link to this interview = 3 entries (Use @cjredwine or leave url to tweet in your comment so I can see it.)

*Post the contest on your blog = 3 entries


2. Tally it up: Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.

3. Check back: The contest is open until 8 p.m. Saturday, April 17th. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!

Good luck to all, and happy reading!