Mia Darien's Blog, page 23

Character Interview: Raphyel M. Jordan & Catty from “Prossia”

As promised on Monday, here is Catty – or Cattalice – from Raphyel M. Jordan’s Prossia. Watch out, this one’s a talker!

* * *

Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Catty: Helloooo! I’m in Raphyel M. Jordan’s sci-fi novel, “Prossia.” Hmm, okay, what it’s about. . .

“Prossia’s” a– what do you Earthlings call it– oh yeah! It’s a ‘coming-of-age’ story. Did I say that right? Sorry. Your various Planet Earth dialects are weird! And I think this is where I’m supposed to insert LOL

Anyway, “Prossia” follows the story of my best friend, Aly. Our tribe got drafted into a galactic war to fight off this ancient enemy called the Cyogen. That’s pronounced “Sy-o-jen,” in case you people can’t say it right. Wait, that didn’t come out as offensive, did it? Sorry. I’m not too familiar with Earthling culture.

Oh. But “Prossia” is more of a character-driven story than situational-driven. It’s a lesson about the unknown strength and potential that young people can have if they’re just given a chance.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Catty: My name is Cattalice the Younger of the Kutenbriun Tribe. Thus the reason why I just go by Catty. I’m a– how do you say– supporting character in “Prossia.” I’m a ten-and-seven . . . oops. I mean, I’m a seventeen-year-old Goolian from Planet Gooliun. I live in a southern tribe called Kutenbrya, only a couple of days away from our planetary capital.

My pappai–I mean father– is the field lord of my tribe, so I can’t deny the fact that I’ve had a more fortunate upbringing than most. I know I’m spoiled, and I’ve had it a little easier than most of my friends, like Aly. So, I try extra hard to help my tribe in any way I can. We Goolians believe in the bettering of the collective whole, not the individual.

I like to gossip, listen to music, and I LOVE to dance. Love it love it love it! I hate homework, but what teenager doesn’t? I’m sure that’s a universal thing with all sentient beings.

Oh. . . and I hate secrecy, especially the type I have to keep from the ones I love. :/ It’s a horrible feeling to have, especially when you think a person has a right to know that they. . . maybe I said too much on that subject. Um, next question?

Mia: Sure. What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Catty: Promise? Okay. For an Earthling. . . I think he’s pretty cute. LOL! I know, I’m so weird for thinking that about an alien! Then again, I guess I’m the alien to you folks, right?

Besides, I was told by one of your kind that I’m kinda like a. . . darn it, what’s that word again? A humanoid? I take it that meant my species has similar physical-looking attributes to Earthlings.

Anyways, coming back to topic: Raphyel can be so serious at times, but so bubbly the next! He’s very passionate about making sure the Prossial experience is written correctly. He likes to draw too, and I think that’s pretty cool. He even did a drawing of me one time, and it looked so much like me that it was scary!

And I just love his hair! It’s so unique! Locks are so fancy looking. And he has such a cute laugh. . . Whenever you hear it, you know he’s nearby. Please make sure he doesn’t read this. LOL!

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Catty: Oh. Well, I really can’t call it a story since I’m living it. I know other people are going to enjoy all of the action and stuff, especially since Earthlings don’t see very agile creatures taking on bad guys with advanced technologies that often. Oh, that and the fact that my people can combust enough energy out of our hands to form of a ball of plasma.

But honestly, there’s nothing fun about being in a war. I have no idea if my friends and I are going to make it to see the next day. And when you’re fighting for your life on the battlefield, I think you tend to forget about the huge perspective in trying to protect the entire galaxy. I honestly just want to make sure that the person beside me makes it out with me in one piece. :/

And being a soldier changes your perspective of the world. I can especially see that in Aly. She’s always been proper and respectful of our elders, just as we were raised to be. But now I see her speaking out more than she should. She questions ideas, and even her own pappai. I’m thinking that not knowing if we’re going to see tomorrow is giving her a drive to know as much as possible before. . . well. . . before it might be too late.

That’s good and all, but I think she’s getting a little obsessive about it. It’s like she’ll go by any means, even if it’s the wrong means, to get more knowledge since she knows we may not make it to our parents’ ages anymore. I worry about her a lot. The Cyogen. . . they’re ruining everything. . .

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Catty: It’s. . . interesting, I guess. Ralphie–oops– I mean Raphyel told me that he thinks the situation Aly and I are in would be beneficial to people, especially your Young Ones. Oh, Young Ones are people that are transitioning to adulthood, by the way. Sorry!

There’s a lot being put on the line in “Prossia,” so if the situations my comrades and I find ourselves in inspire one single person, then I think that’s enough. It is for me, at least.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Catty: I see Aly and our fathers going back home together, champions of a saved world. I know it sounds a little naive, but sometimes keeping such thoughts is the only thing that keeps me from going insane. I mean, Aly and I have never been away from home before, and now we’re on an entirely different planet! She doesn’t say it, but I know she’s just as homesick as I am, if not more. I just have to believe that we’re all going to make it back alive. I just have too.

. . .

Excuse me. These questions have gotten a little more personal. Can I have a tissue please? Sorry.

Mia: It’s alright. How about we change the subject? What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Catty: You betchya! ^_^ I agreed to let Raphyel document whatever happens after “Prossia.” In the meantime, he had Aly and I talk about our childhood back home. He says he wanted to give his readers something to read while they’re waiting on the sequel to “Prossia.” I think he also mentioned something about it being free due to the prolonged wait for the sequel, but if you ask me, I think he’s crazy! LOL!

Anyways. Talking about our upbringing was a lot of fun! Still, it was kind of hard for me to do because I had to do some of my explanations to Jordan in private. Um, there’s a couple of items I had to discuss that Aly isn’t supposed to hear.

. . .

Did I just say too– I really hate secrecy. Next question, please.

Mia: No problem. Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

. . .

What’s a—ohhhh, right! A movie! LOL! I’m so sorry. Isn’t a movie that item you Earthlings go to watch pictures in motion? I apologize for my ignorance. Goolians aren’t familiar with that sort of entertainment because our technology is behind the times, compared to most known sentient people. Why, we don’t even have light bulbs yet! So, I bet you can only imagine the shock my people had when we saw hundreds of Allied spaceships entering Gooliun’s atmosphere! I thought the world was coming to an end!

Since I don’t know enough about “movies,” I’m afraid I really can’t say who I think could “play” me. And that alone is a silly thought, if you ask me. Why can’t I just play as myself? Earthlings are an interesting bunch, but you’re a lot of fun!

Actually, your kind reminds me of a race in our galaxy called Ufrians. Hmm, must be the fur on the top of your heads, I guess. But then their skin is rougher and orange, and their eyes and forearms are bigger. Hmm, and then there’s the nose, and you guys have four fingers and a thumb, and they only have two fingers and a. . . you know what? Forget I said anything. Your race doesn’t look anything like them!

Anyway, it was fun talking with you! Thank you so much! Bye!

* * *

Author Bio: Raphyel Montez Jordan, born February 10th, 1985, grew up in a Franklin, Tennessee household sensitive to the creative arts. As a child, his hobbies were drawing favorite cartoon and video game characters while making illustrated stories. This passion for art never left and followed him all the way up to his high school and college years.

It wasn’t until college when he underwent a personal “renaissance” of sorts that Jordan took his interest in writing to another level. When he was 19, he started writing a novel for fun, taking inspiration from the constant exposure of different ideas and cultures that college showed him while staying true to the values he grew up to embrace. However, when the “signs of the times” influenced the story and the characters to spawn into universes of their own, he figured he might possibly be on to something.

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Please Excuse the Mess

I’m going a little theme spastic and updating the look of the site, but it’s taken some effort to get this theme to submit to my will… er, I mean, look how I want it to.

This theme appeals to me, though, cause it looks like a lovely rural New England road during my favorite time of the year: autumn. The trees change color and if you drive down the right road, it looks like they’re on fire. It’s absolutely beautiful.

But anyways… as I am changing some things around, please let me know if you find anything out of place: something not working, broken link, etc., Just use the Contact Me form at the time! Or tweet me, yell at me on Facebook… You know, whatever works!

Ten Questions with… Raphyel M. Jordan

Today I’m happy to welcome Raphyel M. Jordan to Ten Questions with Mia Mondays! We’ll be hearing from him again later this week with a character interview, so watch this space!

* * *

Author Bio: Raphyel Montez Jordan, born February 10th, 1985, grew up in a Franklin, Tennessee household sensitive to the creative arts. As a child, his hobbies were drawing favorite cartoon and video game characters while making illustrated stories. This passion for art never left and followed him all the way up to his high school and college years.

It wasn’t until college when he underwent a personal “renaissance” of sorts that Jordan took his interest in writing to another level. When he was 19, he started writing a novel for fun, taking inspiration from the constant exposure of different ideas and cultures that college showed him while staying true to the values he grew up to embrace. However, when the “signs of the times” influenced the story and the characters to spawn into universes of their own, he figured he might possibly be on to something.

Author Website: http://www.raphyelmjordan.com/ & http://raphyelmjordan.blogspot.com/

You can find Prossia at Amazon, Xlibris, IndieBound, and various other links provided at Goodreads.

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Hmm. Passionate. Hopeful. Impatient. Shy & Talkative at the same time. I know. Don’t ask me how the last two work.

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

Uhhh, I have no idea what you’re talking about (laughs nervously) >_>

3. What inspires you?

Life. There’s plenty of things to write about thanks to just living.

4. What distracts you?

That would be the fear of failing. I guess that might show my age, or maybe the lack thereof. :/ Sometimes I worry myself about not being successful so much to the point that I paralyze my creative juices. I’m getting a little better at ignoring such worries, though.

5. What’s your favorite story?

Oi, that’s a hard one. LOL! There’s so many great stories out there, it’s hard to pick a preference. Lemme see . . . I think I tend to lean more towards the redemption story. A hero’s fall from grace and making a dynamic comeback? Stories like that tend to peak my interest because they’re more real to me. Just like any human being, this sort of hero shows his/her imperfection by making some huge bumps in the road. However, circumstances lead them back to the side of right. I guess I’m just a romantic, in that sense.

* * *

About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

The only title I currently have out is called “Prossia,” but I’m currently working on changing that as we speak. I intend on making “Prossia” a sci-fi coming of age series that shows the potential and responsibility that youth have due to their strengths while learning to overcome their weaknesses.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

Creating the universe, as a whole, by far! I love being able to take people into worlds never seen before, to travel with creatures never envisioned, to cheer for individuals that are surprisingly relatable to them.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

LOL! Ho boy, I think I’ll pick some of the more popular ones:

Aly would probably say that I need to stop complaining about life so much and resist the inner doubts

Catty would say I’m cute because I tend to get energetic and lively when I’m with my buddies

Hmm, Cy and I probably wouldn’t get along too well because he would say that I’m too nice to people

Gruago and I would probably get along just fine because we could have hours-long conversations about astronomy, technology, different governments and cultures, and most importantly, the must-have video game to get this holiday season.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

I did base one of my characters off an actor, but I don’t think he’d necessarily be my favorite character all-in-all. Beyond that, I’m not trying to think of movie stuff. I just wanna share my book with readers.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Ooooooh, spoiler time. I’m working on two Prossia-related projects. It took me longer than it should have in giving “Prossia” readers the next installment (and for that, I sincerely apologize to everyone), which is why I’m working on two stories at the same time. One will be free when it comes out, actually.

The first one is going to be a prequel to “Prossia” and the next one will be the direct sequel to the original book. I’m really hoping to have the prequel out by next year. The prequel is already getting prepped up for an editor.

* * *

Raphyel, thank you for joining us today, and good luck with your writing!

Ten Questions with… Raphyel Jordan

Today I’m happy to welcome Raphyel Jordan to Ten Questions with Mia Mondays! We’ll be hearing from him again later this week with a character interview, so watch this space!

* * *

Author Bio: Raphyel Montez Jordan, born February 10th, 1985, grew up in a Franklin, Tennessee household sensitive to the creative arts. As a child, his hobbies were drawing favorite cartoon and video game characters while making illustrated stories. This passion for art never left and followed him all the way up to his high school and college years.

It wasn’t until college when he underwent a personal “renaissance” of sorts that Jordan took his interest in writing to another level. When he was 19, he started writing a novel for fun, taking inspiration from the constant exposure of different ideas and cultures that college showed him while staying true to the values he grew up to embrace. However, when the “signs of the times” influenced the story and the characters to spawn into universes of their own, he figured he might possibly be on to something.

Author Website: http://www.raphyelmjordan.com/ & http://raphyelmjordan.blogspot.com/

You can find Prossia at Amazon, Xlibris, IndieBound, and various other links provided at Goodreads.

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Hmm. Passionate. Hopeful. Impatient. Shy & Talkative at the same time. I know. Don’t ask me how the last two work.

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

Uhhh, I have no idea what you’re talking about (laughs nervously) >_>

3. What inspires you?

Life. There’s plenty of things to write about thanks to just living.

4. What distracts you?

That would be the fear of failing. I guess that might show my age, or maybe the lack thereof. :/ Sometimes I worry myself about not being successful so much to the point that I paralyze my creative juices. I’m getting a little better at ignoring such worries, though.

5. What’s your favorite story?

Oi, that’s a hard one. LOL! There’s so many great stories out there, it’s hard to pick a preference. Lemme see . . . I think I tend to lean more towards the redemption story. A hero’s fall from grace and making a dynamic comeback? Stories like that tend to peak my interest because they’re more real to me. Just like any human being, this sort of hero shows his/her imperfection by making some huge bumps in the road. However, circumstances lead them back to the side of right. I guess I’m just a romantic, in that sense.

* * *

About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

The only title I currently have out is called “Prossia,” but I’m currently working on changing that as we speak. I intend on making “Prossia” a sci-fi coming of age series that shows the potential and responsibility that youth have due to their strengths while learning to overcome their weaknesses.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

Creating the universe, as a whole, by far! I love being able to take people into worlds never seen before, to travel with creatures never envisioned, to cheer for individuals that are surprisingly relatable to them.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

LOL! Ho boy, I think I’ll pick some of the more popular ones:

Aly would probably say that I need to stop complaining about life so much and resist the inner doubts

Catty would say I’m cute because I tend to get energetic and lively when I’m with my buddies

Hmm, Cy and I probably wouldn’t get along too well because he would say that I’m too nice to people

Gruago and I would probably get along just fine because we could have hours-long conversations about astronomy, technology, different governments and cultures, and most importantly, the must-have video game to get this holiday season.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

I did base one of my characters off an actor, but I don’t think he’d necessarily be my favorite character all-in-all. Beyond that, I’m not trying to think of movie stuff. I just wanna share my book with readers.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Ooooooh, spoiler time. I’m working on two Prossia-related projects. It took me longer than it should have in giving “Prossia” readers the next installment (and for that, I sincerely apologize to everyone), which is why I’m working on two stories at the same time. One will be free when it comes out, actually.

The first one is going to be a prequel to “Prossia” and the next one will be the direct sequel to the original book. I’m really hoping to have the prequel out by next year. The prequel is already getting prepped up for an editor.

* * *

Raphyel, thank you for joining us today, and good luck with your writing!

Guide to the Preternatural (The Adelheid Series)

Today’s post is actually something you can find at the end of each of my books, but to make things easier for folk, I decided to feature it on my website and include it on the Adelheid information page so that you don’t have to go to the end of the book to find something out!

Given the great wealth of lore about the paranormal, and that there’s just so much to choose from, I wrote this guide so that people would know what lore I chose to use in my paranormal species.

* * * * *

Guide to the Preternatural

Introduction

Despite many popular misconceptions gathered over the centuries, no preternatural species is inherently good or evil. Each individual is precisely that: an individual. They are unique and possess free will. Like humans, they are faced with decisions every moment of every day and it’s the choices they make which determine whether they are good or bad, whether they do good acts or bad ones.

Whether or not preternatural beings have a ‘soul’ as understood in human beliefs is a debate pertaining to scholars and philosophers, but suffice it to say that they have free will to make their own choices and they have to deal with the consequences.

Basically, they are just like humans, with just a few extra quirks.

* * *

Vampires

Vampires are not immortal, because they can be killed. They are simply very difficult to kill and if they are not killed, they will live forever, so they are considered eternal. The life span of a vampire can be described like Newton’s First Law of Motion: that a body at rest tends to remain at rest, and a body in motion tends to remain in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force. A vampire will live forever, if not acted upon by a specific outside force.

When broken down to the most basic facts, vampires are dead. They have no heart beat or blood pressure; they do not breathe and have no internal body temperature of their own. Like a snake, they will adapt the temperature of their surroundings. Without a blood pressure, no cut actually bleeds but there is generally the pull of gravity that will draw blood to ooze from a wound.

There are very specific ways to kill a vampire: a wooden stake (any kind of wood) through the heart, exposure to direct sunlight or beheading. They suffer an “allergy” to silver, so an abundance of wounds made by a silver weapon will greatly diminish or stop their healing process and can kill them eventually. Being chopped into many little pieces or being thrown into a vat of acid that dissolves the entire body will do the job as well.

Their bodies have a hyper-accelerated ability to mend itself. They are immune to all known/human diseases, they can’t be carriers, and they are immune to poisons. They are exceptionally strong, fast and reflexive; perhaps as much as twice that of a human, or more.

A vampire gains strength as they age. They are not, however, immune to pain, soreness, discomfort, fatigue or weakness, but their natural threshold is much higher.

During day light hours, a vampire will fall into a sleep specific to vampires. It’s a sleep so deep that it is comparable to death, or the deepest of comas. Nothing can wake them. This state is compared to a reversion to their “normal” death state, but without the rotting. It lasts through all day time hours. An older vampire will be able to wake sooner into dusk and stay ‘awake’ later into the dawn, but once the sun is fully up, every vampire will be asleep.

They are not adversely affected by any religious symbols. They can see themselves in mirrors, do not need an invitation to walk into a home and can cross running water under their own power and without any adverse reaction.

Vampires do need to drink blood to survive, but it’s not required that it be human blood or directly from a living source. It can be from a butcher and even chilled long term. They can drink blood that is infected by disease without issue. A pint to a quart will serve them for two to three days. When injured, more blood will help increase their healing ability. They cannot eat or drink anything else, with the exception of water, because their dead bodies cannot handle or process it.

They do not have the ability to shift form. There is no turning into any kind of animal or into mist. The only shifting that takes place is their teeth. Although still somewhat longer and sharper, a vampire’s fangs will recede when not in use. When the vampire is about to feed, is feeling threatened or aroused, their fangs will descend.

To make a new vampire, one must be Turned. No vampires are born, because vampires have no physical secretions with which to make a child. To be Turned, the Creator vampire shares their blood with another being. It can be once or multiple times. When that person dies, they may Turn into a vampire, but there is always a chance it won’t take. More often than not it will. When a vampire dies, the body remains. They do not turn to dust.

Some vampires Turn with abilities. There is no predicting who will and who won’t, nor what ability it might be. These abilities might be the ability to control a certain type of animal, to heal others (very, very rare) or what would be called the succubus or incubus, which is a vampire that can control sexual power/desire and use it to control people, to a degree.

A vampire’s sexuality is controlled entirely by their minds rather than by any shifting of blood flow. The theory is that the body has a ‘memory’ of sexual experiences that the mind can act on, which allows male vampires to achieve erections and both genders to achieve arousal to orgasm without conscious direction, although there are no natural secretions. A female vampire must have artificial lubrication for ease and comfort, although her body will otherwise accommodate the act like a human’s.

Politically, there is a Coven in each major city. Covens operate on a monarchy-style hierarchy with one vampire being the ‘ruler’ of the Coven, although modern life and legality have eased the ‘dictatorship’ style ruling of old fashioned Covens. Smaller surrounding cities and towns may have vampires affiliated with the Coven. Whether joining a Coven is required is something dictated by each individual Coven.

* * *

Shape-shifters/Shifters/Were-creatures

Shape-shifters, or were-creatures, can be born or Turned. The virus can be transmitted via salvia, in human or animal form. It’s rarer to become a shifter by this method, but possible so a shifter should be careful of biting a human, even playfully, to not break skin. Biologically, two were-parents will always produce a shifter child. If one parent is human, the chance is fifty-fifty. If the parents are both shifters but with different animal forms, it’s fifty-fifty which animal form the child will take, but it will be one or the other. There are no hybrids.

Every shape-shifter has two forms: human and animal. The animal form is entirely animal, no human/animal half or hybrid forms. They will always be the same animal. The animal form is always larger, stronger and quicker than the ‘natural’ form of said animal, just like the human form is stronger, quicker and has more stamina than the average human. In animal form, they will think, feel and reason with a human mind.

The animal form is always a predator, which can mean wolves, bears, tigers, hawks, and so on. All possible forms are not documented, but it is known that wolves are most common and the various cat species are second on the list. The rest tend to be rare.

With the full moon, a shifter must transform into their animal self at least once. Older shifters can hold it off longer than the younger, but they cannot avoid it entirely. The body will force it before the night is done and usually by the midnight hour.

Shifting is never a clean occurrence, and is painful for the shifter. Clothing worn is shredded and it takes several moments to complete. A shape-shifter is not able to shift until puberty. The first shift is part of the process. A strong shifter can half-shift and then turn back before completing it.

Shifters are neither eternal nor immortal. Their healing is accelerated and they are immune or resistant to many diseases and poisons. They also age a little slower. All shifters have an allergy to silver. It diminishes their body’s healing ability and causes great pain. Enough wounds from a silver weapon, even if the wounds themselves are not fatal, will kill a shifter much like anaphylactic shock.

Almost every method to kill a human will kill a shifter. Shifters just happen to be stronger and resistant, so they are harder to kill. When a shifter is killed in animal form, they will revert to human.

Politically, there is typically a Pack (wolves) in each major city. Others in surrounding cities may belong to it as well, and a member of a Pack who lives away from home for a time will retain their affiliation even over distance. The inner structure of the Pack and whether being part of it is obligatory is up to each Pack.

There are scattered Prides through out the U.S. (lions) but other were-creatures are typically solitary and unassociated. The human tends to follow the animal’s social instincts. The structure of a Pack or Pride is a unique blend of animal and human behaviors, and details vary from Pack to Pack.

When it comes to reproduction, shifters follow human patterns, unless they have been living solely in their animal form for a long period of time. (The feral shifter is another matter all together.) Female shifters do not go into heat to reproduce and they have human gestation periods. During a pregnancy, the full moon loses its power over the shifter and by the second trimester, they are unable to shift until after giving birth.

* * *

Humans

Humans are, of course, always human but some humans are born with paranormal abilities.

There are animators, who can raise the dead into zombies for limited periods of time and control them. The next level of that are the necromancers, which means better and more extensive control as well as the ability to Raise more than one at a time and control over vampires, who are technically dead. This level of power is rare.

There are summoners who can summon demons from other plans of existence.

There are the psychics, also called sorcerers or witches. They have a wide range of possible abilities and varying levels of power. Some of these abilities include telepathy, empathy, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, psychometry, or several other rarer abilities.

* * *

Lesser Known Species

There are several preternatural species that have been so rarely seen or documented that we know little about them, or that they are so widely varied that no single set of rules applies.

The Theriomorph: Theriomorphs are shifters who are not confined to a single secondary form; they can change into any person form or animal form they wish, as long as they have familiarity with it. They do it instantly and cleanly, unlike were-creatures, and any inanimate objects on/touching their body at the time of the transformation goes back and forth with them.

The moon has no sway on them. They are stronger and swifter than ‘normal’ people and animals, heal as fast as shape-shifters and are immune to diseases. They are allergic to silver. They can also exhaust themselves to dangerous levels by too many transformations too close together without proper rest in between. They are not immortal, but by what little we know of them, they seem to be eternal.

The Fae: Fae are secretive, so not much is known about them. Even when a fae acknowledges what they are, they rarely share anything about their abilities with non-fae. They are eternal, possibly true immortals, and can use their magic to blend in so seamlessly with humans that you’ll never know they’re there. There are many different ‘types’ and each have different powers and abilities.

Demons: The source of demons is varied. Some are the descendants of the original ‘fallen angels’ and while they are not inherently evil (they have free will), religious symbols do have an adverse affect on them.

Other demons share similarities in abilities with these kinds of demons, but come from places unknown and they’ll never tell. (It’s generally believed that they live on other planes of existence.) They are named demons for the similarities, and a lack of anything else to call them, although demonologists have defined them into ‘categories’ of abilities, apparent types and how to summon them.

They are varied in how they look, how they act and what they are able to do. The two things that seem to hold true is that they are eternal, with some being possibly immortal, and that they are all tricksters of a sort. You have to choose your words carefully when dealing with them.

A summoner can ‘call up’ a demon of a specific type and ask it to do a task. If it agrees, a lawyer specifically trained in dealing with demons will draw up a contract that will bind the demon to its agreement and give it no room for its usual trickster habits.

The assumption that if there are demons, there are angels has – to date – not yet proven true, as we’ve seen no evidence of angelic existence on the earthly plane.

Character Interview: Britt Bury & Ryo the Righteous from “The Darkest Day”

Today’s character interview comes from Britt Bury and her character Ryo the Righteous from The Darkest Day. Welcome to them both!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Ryo: The book is called “The Darkest Day,” and it’s about an immortal Pookah warrior and the last human on earth. *smiles* I’m glad it turned out the way it did…I was getting worried for a bit there.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Ryo: I work for the Kerr Pookahs. They pay pretty well and have a nice stash of hard liquor, but between stealing Ian’s scotch and cutting Kelvin’s hair in his sleep, I, on occasion, have been known to see into the future. So naturally, I’m the most important asset in the story. Oh yeah, I’m also a wicked-powerful-super-hot witch with connections to the four realms.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Ryo: *Looks over shoulder than scoots forward in her chair and leans in.* Honestly? Britt’s kind of crazy. And that’s coming from me. (*She adjusts her reindeer antler hat and it starts blinking lights and the tune “jingle bells” begins to play.*) Isn’t this cute? I love this hat! I always say, no better time for some Christmas cheer than in July.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Ryo: *Eyes stare beyond and go vacant for a long moment before she shakes her head and comes back to the present* Whew…those pesky visions! What did you say? Right, the story I’m in. It’s pretty good, but the sha-doo-doo is about to hit the fan real quick here. *Eyes go vacant again then starts laughing violently* Oh my god! That was classic! There’s a Strigoi out there who is literally not going to know what hit him!

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Ryo: Yes. But like I said, Britt’s a borderline nutter-butter. I escape her brain and make an appearance every so often both on and off the page. Never the less, the world I live in is a pretty rockin’ one.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Ryo: Ah! Seeing the future is what I do best…except my own. So I can’t help you there. But I can tell you about everyone else! So there’s this Poet Fionn and she’s going to actually get this Wolverine Pookah to— *Britt races in and covers Ryo’s mouth, in doing such, Ryo’s antler hat sounds off again*

Britt: Damn it, Ryo. You promised you wouldn’t talk about them just yet. And what the hell are you wearing?

Ryo: Don’t you love it!? *Ryo adjusts her hat* I found it on the side of the road. Can you believe someone what just going to throw this away?

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Ryo: *gives Britt a wicked smile* Oh, I know quite a bit. And you will absolutely be seeing more of me. In fact, *she taps her chin* dare I say I’ll be in all of the books…

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Ryo: Oh without a doubt it would be Gary Busey! He’s just so whimsical you know? And he’s a blonde like myself. *Ryo itches her head, the hat sounds off, yet again*

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Author Bio: Britt Bury writes paranormal romance where the immortals are fierce, the stakes are high, and desire can be deadly.

Britt was raised in Corvallis, Oregon and attended Oregon State University majoring in Liberal Studies. When her dream of being a professional karaoke star and Elvis impersonator didn’t pan out, she turned to writing. She currently lives in the Silicon Valley with her brilliant husband, two sons and an obscene amount of fish.

Britt’s first paranormal romance releases summer 2012 with Grand Central’s imprint: Forever Yours. Britt is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Author Site: http://www.BrittBury.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BrittBury

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Britt-Bury/343830518982602

Publisher’s Website: Forever Romance

Buy Link: Amazon

Buy Link: Barnes & Noble

Character Interview: BR Kingsolver & Rebecca Healy

Today, I’m happy to welcome back B. R. Kingsolver — who we met previously in an episode of Ten Questions with Mia Mondays — but today with Rebecca Healy from The Succubus Gift and the newly released Succubus Unleashed. Having read both, I can say that Rebecca is quite the pistol! Enjoy!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Rebecca: (Smiling, with a flip of her hair) I’m in all of BR Kingsolver’s books, The Succubus Gift, Succubus Unleashed. I’m very popular. I’m the sidekick to Brenna O’Donnell, the richest, most beautiful telepath/succubus in the world. I’m her bodyguard and best friend.

The Succubus Gift is about a young woman’s (Brenna) coming of age and discovering her telepathic powers. She’s looking for love but also trying to deal with people who want to kill her. Succubus Unleashed is a continuation of the story. As Brenna becomes comfortable with being a succubus and integrates into the Clan, her adventures and loves make up the story.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Rebecca: Well, as I said, I’m Brenna’s bodyguard, friend and confidant. I’m 24 in the first book and turn 25 in the second. I’m a powerful telepath in my own right, with 15 telepathic Gifts. I’m tall and slender with brown hair and amber eyes. I have a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in library science. I’m also trained as a Protector. That’s the O’Donnell Clan’s military/security force. I’m the one who keeps Brenna’s head on straight and keeps her from getting too full of herself. She has a tendency to pay too much attention to people who tell her she’s wonderful.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Rebecca: You’re trying to get me in trouble, aren’t you? Let me just say that BR has an incredibly detailed imagination. A little dull, though. Not the sort of person to be the life of the party. But if I ever retire and open a bookstore, that’s who I’d want for a business partner.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Rebecca: I think it’s a pretty good story. It’s not a standard run-of-the-mill paranormal fantasy. It has a lot of unique ideas and BR lets the characters develop. I think the series was originally it was meant to be rather light-hearted, but it’s taken on a darker side. I think it has most of what you’d want in a story – humor, romance, danger, and the good guys win. It’s not Anna Karenina, but it’s better than being in something where all the women are doormats.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Rebecca: After being imprisoned in BR’s mind for months, it’s great to get out and meet the world. (Smiles) I do get to do a lot of exciting things, and I get to have a lot of sex, which is kind of nice. I wish people would stop trying to kill me and Brenna, though. What happened to romances where the heroine’s greatest fear was having a hair out of place?

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Rebecca: As I said earlier, I’m going to be in a number of books. I’m hoping to find someone to love me. Other than Brenna, I mean. I love her to death, but I don’t really swing that way. Tall, dark and handsome in my bed every night would be nice. It’s a bit difficult when every man in the world is looking at your best friend, but maybe I can pick one of her rejects.

One of these days, I’d like to be the star in a book. Isn’t that every character’s dream? Right now, BR seems fixated on succubi, and I’m not a succubus. But if I keep getting mentioned in reviews, maybe I’ll get a shot.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Rebecca: I’m soon to appear in In Succubus We Trust, the third book in the Telepathic Clans Saga, and a mystery/thriller yet to be named. I’ll have a major role in the succubus book, and a minor role in the mystery. BR says the 4th book about Brenna will come out in 2013, but I haven’t seen the outline for that one. I assume it will tie up all the loose ends from the first three books, and since it’s about Brenna, I’ll be there. We can’t let the girl out by herself. Who knows what she’d do?

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Rebecca: Wow, that’s a hard one. I’m not the busty Hollywood type with perfect hair. It would have to be someone athletic. Someone like Jennifer Garner, but she’s way too old. There’s a young British actress who’s done mostly stage work named Annie Hemingway. She’s not very well known, but I saw her in a play in New York and she was wonderful.

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Author Bio: I made silver and turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.

I love the outdoors, especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school and I’ve hiked and camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing, and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday I’d like to see Banff in Canada.

I have a very significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I’m currently living in Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a home in New Mexico that I see too infrequently.

Author Site: http://brkingsolver.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brkingsolver

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/brkingsolver

The Succubus Gift:

Buy Link: Smashwords

Buy Link: Amazon

Buy Link: Barnes & Noble

Succubus Unleashed:

Buy Link: Smashwords

Buy Link: Amazon

Buy Link: Barnes & Noble

Ten Questions with… Claude Dancourt

Today’s Ten Questions with Mia Monday guest is Claude Dancourt, author of Second Chances and Return to Caer Lon. Thanks for joining us today!

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Author Bio: There are bookworms and Bookworms. Claude Dancourt is of the second species. Last winter, she decided to (finally) bring some order into the chaos her apartment is and she realized that it would mostly consist in piling all her books in only one room.

Claude lives near Montreal in Quebec, Canada, with a stubborn cat who prefers to go out when it rains, two plants, an eclectic CDs collection and an even more random choice of DVDs. She collects quotes, drinks Ceylan tea, and tries to appease her restless muses.

Author Website: http://www.claudedancourt.webs.com

You can find her books at Amazon: Second Chances and Return to Caer Lon!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Generous, dedicated, free, open-minded, imaginative

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

The first story I ever wrote? Wow, that was some YA novel, about three teens that travelled back in time to King Arthur’s court. I reread it recently because my cousin wanted me to type it and publish it. I gave up after two chapters. It would need a complete rewriting just to make the time-travel details work.

3. What inspires you?

Everything. Tastes, odors, music, images, books, paintings, movies; too many things inspire me to list them all.

4. What distracts you?

Honestly, internet. Sometimes I pause and try to remember how it was 20 years ago, and I just realize how much the world changed since then. I love information, knowing every little thing about a subject. Just for that, I often got lost on the web.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

I’m not sure I have a “favorite” plotline. I like possibilities. As long as the story allows me to visualize something else than the wall in front of me, I’m happy. It can be a fantasy, a thriller, action-adventure, romance or philosophy, I’m not picky. I like Agatha Christie, Clive Cussler, James Rollins, St-Exupéry, Homer, Shakespeare, Robert Jordan, Nora Roberts, does it give you any idea?

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

I have two books published at the moment. SECOND CHANCES, a contemporary romance published by a vanity press, and RETURN TO CAER LON a fantasy, that I self-published.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

Most of the time, I have this piece of dialogue or this image stuck in my head that is nagging me. I can’t make it go so I write it down. And suddenly, the words flow out. The plotline appears. The characters become real. You wouldn’t let your best friends in trouble if you could help, would you?

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

That I’m a freak control. It’s always difficult for me to let them have their ways. And they would be right.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

Oh God… Do I have to answer that? I can’t say whose character is my favorite (the other would make my life a living hell) I think Jeremy Renner would make a good Arthur from SECOND CHANCES. If Diane Kruger was a brunette, she would probably fantastic as Sacha in RETURN TO CAER LON.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Glad you ask! I have several irons on the fire, but I’m most serious about a paranormal romance, MOONSHADOWS. People have vampires or werewolf, well, I have a werecat. Not that Mira wanted to become one. She was attacked and when she realized what was happening to her, she left everyone behind, including Erik. One year later, Erik finds her, and she’s on the verge of collapsing. She’s ill, lonely, and nowhere closer to find a cure. What’s more worrying is the number of bodies around her…

I hope to release it by the end of the year. And it would be easier to answer your previous question for this one. Rachel Weisz as Mira and Niall Matter as Erik would make an awesome movie.

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Thank you for joining us today, Claude, and good luck with your books!

Character Interview: Emiliana Erriquez & Alina from “Leave Me Alone”

Please welcome Alina, from Leave Me Alone by Emiliana Erriquez. Thank you both for being here!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Alina: The book where I live in is Leave me alone and it was written by Emiliana Erriquez. It tells two stories that somehow cross one with the other. The first is about a young girl who suffered from anorexia in the past and tries to give a sense to her life again, the second is about me – Alina – who live away from her. We are both main characters but we aren’t in completion for it, on the contrary, somehow we feel empathy with one another.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Alina: I’m a child who lives with her family in a little town in Beslan. I have a special relationship with my mother, the most important person in my life. I’m going to school when you meet me in the book but, after some hours, I experienced one of the most horrible event a child can do. I appear in the second chapter, very soon, and till the end you can read about me. Just one thing about me: please don’t think I’m not real. I am.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Alina: Well, she’s not a bad person and I’m not angry with her, she is a writer and I understand it. But you know what writers do with their characters: they don’t treat them the way they would like. Anyway, I think she tried her best to tell about my story and my feelings. She haven’t ever forgotten I’m a child, just a child, even if she decided to make me live the things she wrote. I’ve learnt, thanks to her, life isn’t always the way we hope it to be.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Alina: The story I live in is sad, you know. And if I have the power to rewrite it I wouldn’t have made it end that way. But I’m telling this because I’m a child and children always think there is an happy ending in every story, they need to know it to grow up better I suppose.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Alina: Yes, after all, I like to be in Leave me alone. It gave me the possibility to think about so many things, to understand what’s really important in my life and even to grow.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Alina: I’m not sure about giving this answer but what I can say is that, even if I lived what I lived, I will find the way to feel safe and maybe, just maybe, have some kind of rest, to recover from it. Somehow.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Alina: I don’t think so. But who really knows? About my author’s plans, I’m sure she is writing another book now, directly in English, and it’s quite different from the one I live in. It’s a story about love, loss, regrets. She was inspired after a recent trip to New York City. You can’t talk to her these days, or even spend some time with her, she’s always writing in her room and doesn’t like to be interrupted when she does it. When she writes, she behave this way. You know how writers are.

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Alina: I would like to have a nice little girl playing my role, you know I’m vain and I know I’m really beautiful but you’ll find it written in Leave me alone if you read it. I like to wear beautiful dresses, I want to be the most beautiful girl in the school and for a brief moment, maybe, I am.

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Author Bio: Emiliana Erriquez was born in Foggia, Italy in 1977. She is married and has a little child. She has a Master of Arts and a Master in Translation (English-Italian). She is a free-lance translator since 2004 and a journalist since 2007, she worked for some newspapers in Italy and directed for some time the economic website ‘Helloimpresa’.

She won the prestigous Giuseppe Sciacca Award in 2006 with an essay called ‘Oriana Fallaci: una vita vissuta in pienezza’ about the well-known Italian author and journalist.

She published her first novel ‘Lasciami stare’ in 2007 with Giovane Holden Edizioni. Now the novel is available on Amazon, in kindle edition (KDP) in English with the title of ‘Leave me alone’. She is now writing her second novel. Readers can find her on: Twitter  (@emyerriquez) and on Facebook, Goodreads and Pinterest (Emiliana Erriquez)

Author Blog: http://mywritingisindie.blogspot.it/ 

Buy Link: Amazon

Character Interview: Claude Dancourt & Wolfryth from “Return to Caer Lon”

From Claude Dancourt’s Return to Caer Lon, today we have Wolfryth with us. The author has also asked me to let folk know that the story will be featured for free at Amazon on July 1, so check it out!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Wolfryth : I’m the main villain character of RETURN TO CAER LON, by Claude Dancourt. Some might tell you it’s the story of the Pendragons’s return to power, King Arthur’s heir rise, etcetera, but they delude themselves. I found the lost City and I will master its secrets. Its magic is mine.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Wolfryth : Where do I fit into the story? Where do I fit into the story? *growling loud* Do I have to spell everything out for you? I AM the story. I am the greatest sorcerer alive. I control three of the four elements, no one did for centuries! I don’t use Earth that often, it’s too… simple. Fire suites my needs better. People fear Fire. They bend the knee before the smallest flame. So pitiful. But Air… Air is interesting. Air is related to matters of the mind, dreams or shall I say, nightmares… Nightmares are excellent motives, don’t you think? Just ask that seer what she would do not to see her nightmares becoming real…

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Wolfryth : she did me justice, I suppose. At least she didn’t try to present me as some “there’s still good in him” puppet. Regrets are for the weak, and the powerless. *flexing fingers, her eyes glazing for a moment before focusing back* Her storytelling is well balance, but she should have focused more on my character.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Wolfryth : Feelings? Who cares about feelings? I have thoughts. And my thoughts are that this is a very good story, since I am in it.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Wolfryth : you are testing my patience. Don’t make me repeat myself again or you could regret it. I am not a character in the book. I AM the book.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Wolfryth : The future will bend to my will. I will have the blood of the son of the Dragon, unleash the power of the City. I’ll be immortal. *rising an eyebrow* You don’t think that princeling can resist me do you? His father tried *brushing the scar on his face with his pointer finger*. He didn’t last long.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Wolfryth : I don’t care about her plans. She will do as I say. She always kneels before her characters. A bit more resistance would be more… entertaining. *yawning* I’m bored. Are we done with idle questions?

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Wolfryth : I don’t see any in that Holy Wood of yours who is worth to play me. You need someone with presence, strong, someone who scorches the silver screen. A Marlon Brando, a Richard Burton. They’re dead? So? I soon will be invincible. If I want one of them to play me, he will.

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Author Bio: There are bookworms and Bookworms. Claude Dancourt is of the second species. Last winter, she decided to (finally) bring some order into the chaos her apartment is and she realized that it would mostly consist in piling all her books in only one room.

Claude lives near Montreal in Quebec, Canada, with a stubborn cat who prefers to go out when it rains, two plants, an eclectic CDs collection and an even more random choice of DVDs. She collects quotes, drinks Ceylan tea, and tries to appease her restless muses.

Buy Link: Amazon