Character Interview with Punda, a lion shifter, from An Apple Away by Kate Richards

Shameless Summer Giveaway Hop post here.

Jessica: Welcome, Punda to my blog. It is a pleasure to have you here.

[image error]Punda: Hi, Jessica! Thanks for inviting me.

Jessica: Now, as a lion shifter, how similar are you to the lions of Africa? What qualities do you share? How are you different?

[image error]Punda:  We are originally from India, although my pride has been in North America for generations. There are a lot more African lion shifters than Asian, and I haven’t been able to find any left in India at all. There just aren’t a lot of places there where we could run free and hunt when the moon calls, whereas Africa still has a lot of open land for that.

Jessica: And you’re the last of your kind. What happened to the rest of your pride?

Punda: I don’t know, they disappeared one day.

Jessica: That’s puzzling. Do you think you’ll ever see any of them again?

Punda: At first I hoped so, but as time goes on I’ve begun to doubt. How can an entire pride, basically a town, of people disappear without a trace?

Jessica: Well, I hope one day your are able to find more of your pride. Can you tell us about Wiccan Haus where you’ve been living?

Punda: It’s an amazing place. A healing resort off the coast of Maine, and completely magical. You cannot get there except on the weekly ferry and the Rowans who run it each have a different talent.

Jessica: As a masseuse there, what kind of creatures do you interact with?

Punda: Well, other shifters, mermaids, ordinary people, witches, gnomes…almost anyone! The vampires are interesting. They have an alarming tendency to bite some of the other guests, but the Rowans feel that with enough time they can help them get past this.

Jessica: I hope so. Can you tell us about the first time you met Hugo?

Punda: I met him when he came to the island to get away from his very stressful job on a short vacation. It was his first break in years and he was exhausted—he’s a very important brain surgeon at a hospital in Argentina, you know. A charity hospital, so you can imagine how hard he works.

Jessica: What drew you to him?

Punda: Well, besides animal magnetism? He’s a good man, cares about people. And he will use his gifts to take care of anyone who needs him. Kindness, brains, talent and good looks….

Jessica: *swoon* And Aislinn, how did you meet her?

Punda: Sage assigned me to be her masseuse and companion while she stayed on the island.

Jessica: What do you like best about her?

Punda: Sometimes, Aislinn is a little naïve, but she has a warmth that draws everyone to her. But she’s so sick…I’m not sure even the Rowans have the cure for Aislinn.

Jessica: Oh no! Is either jealous of your relationship with the other, or do you all get along well?

Punda: I’ll have to let you know! I don’t think jealousy is a factor, but I’ve never fallen for two other people before. I’ve been alone a long time…

Jessica: And what are your future plans?

Punda: Right now, I’m taking it a day at a time. The most important thing is to find out what is eating Aislinn and how to break the news to Hugo that I’m a shifter!

Jessica: Well, I hope all goes well on both accounts. Thank you again for visiting today. I wish you all the best.

Punda: Same to you, it’s been fun!

An Apple Away:

Genres: Menage/Group, Multicultural, Multiple Partners, Shapeshifters, Witchcraft, M/F/F

Blurb: Aislinn never wants to see another doctor. Their painful and pointless treatments have done nothing to improve her rapidly deteriorating health. She hopes that the staff of Wiccan Haus can at least offer a change of scene, if not a return of a little of her former strength. She’s delighted to meet Punda, a masseuse, on her arrival and charmed by the cottage in the apple orchard where she will stay.

Dr. Hugo Peralta visits the island at the insistence of his boss. The distinguished brain surgeon is in desperate need of a respite before overwork makes him one of his own patients. He is surprised but pleased with the privacy and serenity of his cottage–across the orchard from Aislinn’s. An idyllic location on a magical island where love can blossom–if the Rowans can help the trio save Aislinn from whatever is killing her.

An Apple Away excerpt:

Most of Hugo’s attention remained on Aislinn. Her expressions flitted across her face, happiness, concern when Harvey talked about how he’d nearly lost his love to the evil—Jenny laughed at that, holding her husband’s hand tight—Sam and his “underhanded tactics.” Before he knew it, dinner, whatever it had been, had come and gone and their waiter was placing dessert before them.

“Warm apple crisp, with vanilla whipped cream.” The waiter stepped back. “From our own orchard.” Hugo frowned, but lifted his spoon. Why was the man hovering?

Aislinn, however, dug right in. “Oh, it’s just delicious! You know, my cottage is right in the middle of the orchard. It’s like a fairy tale…I didn’t know apple trees bloomed and fruited at the same time.”

So, this beautiful and intriguing woman was his neighbor—his sole neighbor—in his hilltop retreat. Interesting.

The waiter was going on about the apples. “Oh, a very special variety, miss. Grows only here on the island.”

“Well, it’s lovely.” She spooned up more of the crisp then sighed and set the implement next to her bowl. “But I don’t think I can eat another bite.”

Hugo ate some of the dessert. Good, but he rarely indulged. His focus was still on Aislinn and his medical side became alarmed as she suddenly paled. “Are you all right?”

She drew a deep breath and stood up from the table. “Oh, I’m fine. A little tired, maybe.” Her thready voice worried him.

“Perhaps we should see if a doctor or nurse….”

“No doctors. Never again.” Her vehemence added strength to her tone and sent an unhappy flip to his stomach. “I-I think I’ll be heading back to my cottage now. It’s been a pleasure having dinner with all of you. I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure.”

She took a few steps away and he rose, intending to join her, but a dark, graceful woman arrived at her side and led her over to a table where four people sat. They nodded in welcome and chatted for a few moments before one of them reached into a pocket and pulled out a vial. She tapped it, speaking with a serious expression before handing it to Aislinn. Rising, she gave her a quick hug then returned to her seat.

Aislinn left the room with the dark-haired woman’s arm around her waist. She must be very ill. But what had doctors done to make her reject their care and turn to quackery?

And what the hell was in that vial?

 Author Bio:

Kate Richards is a big fan of the happily ever after for everyone. She divides her time between Southern California and the High Sierras and writes wherever she is. If she had to decide between reading or writing a romance, she’d go for writing, because it takes longer to get to the end, and she can spend more time with the characters! She always loves to hear from readers.

Contact info:

http://katerichards.wordpress.com

katerichards09@gmail.com