Wild Beauty has is almost here! ???? To celebrate the release of this stunning and magical novel, we’ve asked author Anna-Marie McLemore some questions about the book.

Team Fierce Reads: What makes Estrella fierce?
Anna-Marie McLemore: Estrella’s fierceness comes from how she’s not afraid to show kindness, but also not afraid to be vicious when it comes to protecting those she loves. In that way she’s a little like the flowers she grows; their blossoms may be soft, but their vines can tear things apart.

TFR: If you could give Estrella one piece of advice, what would it be?
A-MM: Talk to your cousins. They’re the girls you grew up alongside. They know what you’re feeling more than you think, and they have hearts more like yours than you know.

TFR: Describe your book in 3 words:
A-MM: Enchanted, dangerous gardens.

TFR: What’s your favorite part of being an author?
A-MM: All the book lovers I get to work with and meet—publishing professionals, booksellers, librarians, teachers, bloggers, readers, fellow writers. I feel tremendously lucky to be among those who love stories as much as I do.

TFR: What’s the strangest thing you learned while researching Wild Beauty?
A-MM: All about blue mushrooms! I knew about them as something sold in mercados, but it wasn’t until I was researching Wild Beauty that I learned details about harvesting, ways to prepare them, and what makes them change color.