The Reckless Kind | Author Interview | Book Tour

I’m so excited to be a part of the book tour for The Reckless Kind that is hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours. I was really excited to also be able to interview the author for this book!

INTERVIEW

Welcome Carly! Thank you for allowing me to interview you! Can you start off by introducing yourself?

Hi I’m Carly Heath. I’m an educator, artist, and the author of THE RECKLESS KIND. I also rescue animals, ride horses, and spend every spare moment taking care of my sheep, dogs, bunny, cat, and horse.

How would you describe The Reckless Kind in one sentence?

Three queer teens defy the expectations of their rural Scandinavian village by leaving their families, going out to live on their own and seeking to defeat the town patriarch in the region’s annual winter horse race.

Can you introduce us to the main character(s) of The Reckless Kind?

Asta is a unconventional soul who loves performing in her village theater, hand-feeding the feral garbage rats, and snuggling with her best friend Gunnar. She’s hard-of-hearing, has an appearance that’s considered atypical in her very homogenous town, and working on deprograming herself from the expectations of the heteropatriarchy.

Erlend is an anxious bean who is very sensitive and bad with money. He deeply loves Gunnar and Asta and his love language is gift-giving which is unfortunate, becuase he really needs to stop spending kroner he doesn’t have. 

What representation will readers find in your characters?

Asta is asexual/aromantic, hard-of-hearing, and has Waardenburg syndrome. 

Erlend is gay and has anxiety and stomach ulcers. 

Gunnar is in a romantic relationship with Erlend, has an amputation, chronic pain, and anxiety/depression.

Fred has post concussion syndrome.

Do you know from the beginning how your books will end or do you let your characters decide their journey?

I have a very loose, general idea of where it is going but if the characters want to take it in a different direction, I am more than happy to let them.

Do you have a favorite scene, moment, or quote from the book?

The moment when Erlend stands up to his parents and tells them he wishes to be cast out of dorrs.

What are three books you would recommend if someone enjoyed The Reckless Kind?

Daughters of a Dead Empire by Carolyn Tara O’Neil (out Feb 2022)

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor (out in Feb 2022)

One for All by Lillie Lainoff (out March 2022)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Synopsis:

A genre-defying debut, this queer historical YA centers a wild and reckless trio who fly in the face of small town tradition—full of compassion, love, and determination to live the lives of their choosing.

It’s Norway 1904, and Asta Hedstrom doesn’t want to marry her odious betrothed, Nils—even though a domestic future is all her mother believes she’s suited for, on account of her single-sided deafness, unconventional appearance, and even stranger notions. Asta would rather spend her life performing in the village theater with her friends and fellow outcasts: her best friend Gunnar Fuglestad and his secret boyfriend, wealthy Erlend Fournier.

But the situation takes a dire turn when Nils lashes out in jealousy—gravely injuring Gunnar. Shunning marriage for good, Asta moves with Gunnar and Erlend to their secluded cabin above town. With few ties left with their families, they have one shot at gaining enough kroner to secure their way of life: win the village’s annual horse race.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR