Tangi's Teardrops by Liz Davis Review + Interview + E-book Giveaway

Summary:

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.Summary taken from  Goodreads.com
Length: N/A
Source: Review Copy from Author
Publication Date: January 2012


The Review:

Tangi's Teardrops is a unique retelling of the classic Cinderella story with some interesting twists. It's author Liz Davis's first YA novel and her first novel period. For the purpose of not wanting to spoil this darling little book for other readers I'm going to refrain from posting any spoilers and just talk about my overall thoughts on the book.

First off, I really liked Tangi. Though she started off as a young girl I found her character easy to connect to. As a child with a limp Tangi is made fun of constantly by her classmates and has no friends but the teasing does not stop off school grounds. Instead she has to face more ridicule at home from her older half sisters. I personally hate any form of bullying so my heart broke with her because she was such a good, kind soul I could hardly bare to see her suffering at the hands of those who should care for her.

I really enjoyed the story because it was a quick, easy read that made me feel different emotions. Liz Davis is a very talented author. She gave Tangi heart, something that is getting a little harder to find in YA novels. I highly recommend this light hearted read to everyone! The writing is lovely and you can tell the author has a passion for her work.

To purchase the book from Amazon CLICK HERE

To visit Liz's blog CLICK HERE

To read the story behind Tangi's Teardrops CLICK HERE

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★ ★

Interview:

Liz's Bio:

Liz Grace Davis was born in a refugee camp in Angola, to Namibian parents. She grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Germany. She now lives with her husband in Vienna, Austria. Growing up, Liz spent most her days in school libraries, diving into the world of books. In her spare time she loves to travel, create jewelry and digital scrapbooks. She's in her element when she does anything that requires creativity. Liz recently published her Young Adult fantasy novel, Tangi's Teardrops.

1.What prompted you to write Tangi's Teardrops? What was the main inspiration behind it?

My life inspired the story. Tangi’s Teardrops is based on my childhood. In fact, my third first name is Tangi. A couple of weeks ago I posted the story behind Tangi’s Teardrops on my blog. You can read it here: http://novel-moments.blogspot.com/2012/02/true-story-behind-tangis-teardrops.html

2. Did you always want to be a writer? Or, was it something that you just discovered you had a talent for?

[Soft Break] I never really thought about wanting to be a writer. I simply started writing from a young age. I wrote poems, short stories and novels that I never showed anyone. Whenever I finished writing a novel, I printed out the manuscript and hid it out of sight. Then I started on another story. I never reread them. The fun part was writing them. Years later, my best friend and my husband stumbled upon some of my work and convinced me to get published. It does feel great to be able to share my stories with the world. Even if it was very frightening at first, I don’t regret a thing.

3. Tangi's Teardrops is a unique twist on the classic Cinderella fairy tale, was it always your plan to write it that way?

Not at all. I started writing the story and when I reread the first draft, I discovered it was a kind of African fairytale. Because I never plan before writing a novel, I’m often surprised about the directions my stories take in the end.

4. What is your favourite part of Tangi's Teardrops?

There are two. The first has to be writing the novel, going on this amazing journey with my characters was incredible. Unfortunately I can’t tell you the second part because I would be giving away the best part of the book.

5. Your next book Chocolate Aftertaste is an adult contemporary romance novel, what motivated the change in genre from YA Fantasy to that?

I never wanted to pin myself down as an author who writes in only a specific type of genre. My bookshelves (and drawers and boxes) are filled with books of many different types of genres and I write what I love to read. And actually, I started writing romance novels before I wrote Tangi’s Teardrops. I enjoy writing in both genres and who knows, I might just try others.

6. If you had to pick your top 3 favourite book genre's and your top 2 books from each of those genres what would they be?

Yes, of course. Here they are:

• Chick lit— The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella and Sushi for beginners by Marian Keyes
• Romance— Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and Jewels of the sun by Nora Roberts
• Thriller— Nothing Lasts Forever by Sidney Sheldon and Now you see her by James Patterson

Right now I’m reading The woman he loved before by Dorothy Koomson. I’m enjoying it so much, it’s hard to do anything else.

7. What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

For me, the best part of being a writer is the actual act of writing. The second best thing is hearing someone say they enjoyed my book.

8. Who are your biggest supporters?

I have to say it’s my husband. He has been with me every step of the way and on those days when I felt I was writing rubbish, he convinced me I wasn’t. I know my mother would be a great fan too, but she doesn’t know yet that I’m published. I’m planning to give her a copy of Tangi’s Teardrops (which is dedicated to her) on her birthday in April. The readers of my novels are also great supporters. They encourage me to write that next novel.

9. If you had could interview any author, who would it be and why?

I would love to interview Lesley Pearse. I read so many of her books and I have the feeling that she pours a lot of herself and experiences into them. She must have experienced so much to be able to write with such emotion. I love how her novels swallow me up and don’t spit me out until the last page. 

10. Do you have any advice for people wanting to be authors?

Don’t write what others are writing, write what you love to read. Only then can you really pour all of you into the story. When you enjoy writing something, many others will enjoy reading it. When you don’t, they will know.

11. Can we expect more books from you in the future? Do you have any ideas for a new novel?

Most definitely. I have a lot of ideas (I jot them down all the time) but they would have to wait because I have so many other already written manuscripts that need to see the light of day. Chocolate Aftertaste will be released in two weeks and I’m already in the process of editing another novel, which will be released sometime in June. I’ll keep you updated. Keep checking my blog to learn more about my books: www.novel-moments.blogspot.com

Kimberly, thank you so much for interviewing me and for taking the time to read Tangi’s Teardrops. You’re very kind. And thanks to my readers for making me an author.

Thank you Liz! I really appreciated you giving me the opportunity to read your book and review it and thanks ever so much for agreeing to do a an interview with me and taking time out of your busy schedule!

Now Here's the tailer for Liz's upcoming novel Chocolate Aftertaste! I can't wait to read it. What about you?

Giveaway:

The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL

You MUST be 13 years or older to enter.

You MUST respond to the e-mail notifying you of your win within 48 hours or the prize will go to someone else.

The giveaway runs from March 19th to March 27th 2012.

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