[Book Tour] Elsker by ST Bende & Interview

Book Title: Elsker

Author Name: ST Bende

Series Title: The Elsker Saga

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Entranced Publishing, Blush

Blurb

Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. He’s an honest-to-goodness Norse God — an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. 

Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms.

Her orderly life just got very messy.

Book Trailer

Author Bio

Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats.  Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired The Elsker Saga.  She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.

You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to stbende(at)gmail(dot)com.  

Author social media links

Blog: http://stbende.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/stbende

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stbende or @stbende

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/stbende/

EXCERPT

ELSKER - Book 1, THE ELSKER SAGA

At eight o’clock, a firm knock interrupted my reading.  I picked my way through the flower shop that our living room had become and opened the door.

“Oh good, you kept my peace offerings.”  Ull treated me to a rakish grin.

“Just a few of them,” I muttered.  “Come on in.”

“Oh, no.  You must come with me.”

“Why?”  I challenged.  Ull sighed.

“Are you going to fight me at every turn?”

“Probably.” 

“Please come.”  He looked so adorable standing on my stoop, his scarf casually thrown across the grey sweater under his coat.  I gave in quicker than I meant to. 

“Fine.”  I grabbed my coat from the closet by the door and shoved my keys and wallet into the pocket.  “Where are we off to?”  I closed the door behind me and followed Ull into the brisk night, waiting for his promised explanation. 

But he didn’t say anything.  Instead, he put his hand on the small of my back and guided me away from campus.  I shivered and noticed that Ull wore his jacket open, at ease in the chill.  As we rounded the corner, Ull dropped his hand to clasp mine.  It was so warm, so strong, and for a moment I forgot to be mad at him.  We walked in silence as he led me down the main road.  After two right turns, I found myself standing in a quiet garden.  

Ull had brought me to a church.  

Tell us 5 surprising things about yourself.

(1) ELSKER began because of a road trip coffee craving.  If I hadn’t pulled into that coffee-hut on the side of the road in blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Nehalem, Oregon, I never would have seen Kristia Tostenson’s hometown, and I never would have imagined her crazy adventures with Ull Myhr, Norse God of Winter.  Thank you, coffee craving. 

(2) I wrote ELSKER by accident.  It was a little story I wrote in my journal after the aforementioned road trip/coffee craving.  I wrote it just for me, but it grew a teensy bit out of control.

(3) Like Ull, I’ve been a rule follower all my life.  Since my Norwegian teacher told me Norsk waffles should be served with a tart jam, I always ate mine with a tart jam.  Until I discovered Nutella.  Now I’m a convert.  And I haven’t gotten up the nerve to tell her.

(4) I love all things Scandinavian, but I cannot stand seafood of any kind.  No salmon, no tilapia, no lobster.  Not even fish sticks. 

(5) I love IndyCar racing and sometimes I root for the absolute least consistent driver in the field, James Jakes, just because he’s cute.  But usually I root for Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay, because they’re fierce, and fun, and really, really nice.  And cute.

One of your favorite quotes.

Since this is a romance blog, I guess I can share my favorite line from Much Ado About Nothing.  Benedick declares his love for Beatrice by agreeing he will pursue her for the sole reason, “The world must be peopled!” How fantastically honest is that?

Most _____________ in high school. (popular, nerdy, sporty…) Why?

Most nerdy.  Definitely most nerdy.  I loved studying.  I actually got so bored after college that I enrolled in a Norwegian class.  Since I’m terrible at languages, the actual learning of Norwegian didn’t go so well.  But I did learn that I love Norsk waffles, and I met the real Olaug, who has become one of my favorite people in the entire world. 

If you could be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why?

Inga.  She’s an amazing baker, impeccable dresser, keeps a perfect home and can kick her man’s behind in a friendly fencing competition.  She’s down to earth and kind, and incredibly easy to be around.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to be amazing at everything? 

Which actor or book character do you have a crush on?

I have an enormous crush on my hero in ELSKER, Ull Myhr.  He’s an Asgardian Assassin and the Norse God of Winter.  He’s strong, and stoic, and stubborn, but all he’s ever wanted is to feel loved and secure.  He dotes on his grandma, has an above-average relationship with his florist, and has a closet full of designer clothes that are perfectly tailored to his ridiculously fit body.  There’s a lot to like… if you’re into the whole 6’5” Norse god look.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely.

Flirting Quickies:

Boxers or Briefs? Boxers

Facial hair or clean shaven? Stubble

Planner or Panster? Pantser

Coffee or tea? Coffee before noon, tea after.

Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate. 

Sweet or salty? Both

Laptop or desktop? Laptop

Beach or mountains? Depends

Winter or summer? Winter. 

Cat or dog? Dog

City or Country? Country

Clubbing or candlelight dinner? Candlelight Dinner

Christmas or Halloween? Christmas

Optimist or pessimist? Optimist

Thank you so much for letting me visit, Melinda!  I really appreciate your hospitality, and I’m so looking forward to our Ryan vs. Ryan showdown on your oersonal blog next week (http://melindadozier.blogspot.com).  May the best Ryan win.  And mine can literally drive laps around yours, so get ready, girl…

THE ELSKER SAGA is available now from Entranced Publishing. 

TUR, the prequel, can be downloaded for free at http://www.entrancedpublishing.com/imprints-2/blush/elsker/ 

ELSKER, Book 1, is available from Entranced, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Find ST Bende on Twitter (https://twitter.com/stbende), or at (http://stbende.blogspot.com/).

And be sure to stop by http://stbende.blogspot.com/ between April 11^th and May 20^th to enter to win fabulous prizes in the ELSKER Release Month of Giveaways!  Or as it shall heretofore be known, Waffle Fest, 2013!