Purpose Virtual Release Party- an interview

I love helping other authors, and one of my favorite people to help is Kristie Cook. As soon as I heard she was doing a blog tour for her second book, Purpose, I knew I wanted to be involved. We tossed around a few ideas and at first, I was going to interview Kristie, but then she suggested I interview one of her characters. The idea was intriguing. I’ve never interviewed a book character before.

She gave me a few to choose from—Alexis, Tristan, Sophia (Alexis’ mom), Rina (Alexis’ grandmother), and Vanessa (a vampire who hates Alexis and is obsessed with Tristan). I toyed with the idea of interviewing Vanessa (my interview with a vampire-ha!) but decided against it. I don’t like her. I’ve seen interviews with Alexis and Tristan, but I hadn’t seen any with Sophia or Rina, so I landed on Sophia.

The questions and answers will make more sense if you’ve already read the first book, Promise. If you haven’t, the short explanation is that she’s very protective of her daughter; her mother, Rina, is the head of the Amadis (human-angel) council; she’s next in line to rule the Amadis; she’s much older than Alexis, but looks like she’s younger because of the Ang’dora (the change the Amadis go through); and she can sense the truth of a situation.

So, without further ado, let’s talk with Sophia…

MG: What was the first thing you thought when you saw Alexis with Tristan?

Sophia: Surprise. Surprised to see them together and surprised that I was surprised. I detect truths, but I hadn’t been watching for this, so it slipped right by me. I didn’t like that. But after what had happened…well, I don’t want to give anything away…I just thought he would stay away longer, as in many years longer. I didn’t think either of them were ready for what’s expected of them, especially Alexis.

MG: How hard has it been keeping information about the Ang’dora from Alexis?

Sophia: It’s more difficult than anyone realizes, especially Alexis, because I don’t particularly enjoy lying to her or hiding such important information. Sometimes it angers me that I’m bound so tightly to protect our secrets…especially from our own. I know she will be one of us! But if I expose the secrets before she’s ready, if I don’t protect them, they’d probably kill me. And then I wouldn’t be here to protect her.

MG: What was it like going through your own Ang’dora?

Sophia: Well, now, that’s its own story. I’m working with Kristie to share it. I’ll just say it was unexpected, confusing and exhilarating. (MG: I'm looking forward to that story.)

MG: Alexis already knows that she’s different, and that you’re different. Did you have that kind of pre-knowledge before you went through the Ang’dora?

Sophia: No, I knew nothing in the beginning. I’d been left alone in the world, having lost all my family. Or, at least, I thought I’d lost them all. Then my mother suddenly resurfaced and my life changed. Again.

MG: Rina seems rather ethereal and distant. What’s it like having her for a mother?

Sophia: I know my mother in a different way than anyone else. I knew her when she was just human and she was very human – she made her share of mistakes. I’ve learned to admire her strength and have gained a certain respect for her. I’ll just say that she’s a better matriarch than she was a mother.

MG: Are the two of you close?

Sophia: No, not exactly. We’ve butted heads since I was a child.

MG: How has the age gap between you and Alexis affected your relationship?

Sophia: I’ve done my best to continue adapting as times change. I look like I’m in my late 20s, so I need to behave as such …decade after decade. This has allowed me to understand Alexis’s world better than even a regular human who’s in their 40s or 50s by the time their child is a teenager. So, in some ways, there is less of a generation gap than with most parents and their children. On the other hand, my life at 18 was so different, it’s hard to believe it’s the same world. I guess that’s what all parents say, but they really have no idea…

MG: What changes, if any, would you make to the Amadis once Rina steps down? How will you run things?

Sophia: The ideals I have in my head and the reality of being in the position are likely very different. I don’t especially like the council…at least most of its members and the decisions it makes. I think I would take more of an authoritative position than my mother does. It seems to me that she often bows down to their decisions. However, only the matriarch is allowed to know certain insights from the angels. So perhaps it appears that she relies on the council more than she really does. Perhaps she is doing exactly what is best for everyone.

MG: If you weren’t taking care of Alexis and Dorian (Alexis' son), what would you be doing?

Sophia: I’d probably be doing whatever the council, I mean, my mother, directs me to do. Before I had Alexis, I led the converters – the soldiers that seek out Daemoni and try to convert them. However, I expect she has plans for me to take a more active role with the council when I return.

MG: Do you have any hobbies?

Sophia: I love books, all types, and spend most of my free time reading. I also enjoy watching movies, especially the early ones – from the 1930s, 40s and 50s. If I were stable enough to keep a collection, I’d have a room full of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe paraphernalia. But mostly James Dean. (smirks) I guess I have a thing for rebels and bad boys.

MG: Favorite music?

Sophia: Beethoven, Frank Sinatra and the Beetles.

MG: Favorite book (besides the ones Alexis writes)?

Sophia: Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile…just about anything Agatha Christie.

MG: I was going to thank Sophia for coming, but… well, anyway, thank you, Kristie, for taking the time to give us some insight into a character who doesn’t get much attention...yet.

Booklinks:
More about Promise, reviews, and where to buy: I Have Promise
More about Purpose, reviews, and where to buy: I Have Purpose
Kristie's website

i should be nano-ing

but i made one more cover for Kristie's contest. maybe i was feeling creative. maybe i was feeling competitive when i saw one of the other entires. maybe my brain was tired from trying to work on my novel. whatever the reason, i diverted myself and i like this one the best.

you have a few hours left if you want to enter. she's basing part of the contest on pure creativity, so go play.

Kristie Cook's Promise and Purpose

my new writing friend, Kristie Cook is releasing Purpose (her sequel to Promise) in December, but she's already started her publicity for Purpose now. in honor of one of her character's birthdays, she's running a "Mr. Beautiful's Halloween Hop and Contest" until November 5. the prizes include a gift card and a Kindle.

all you have to do is grab a picture of Tristan from Kristie's website and follow the instructions for the contest. i decided to make up 2 mock book covers and i posted them on my Wildhearted Woman blog, but i have to warn you, they may cause excessive drooling (or maybe a laugh at the rather cheesy titles).

when it finally comes time to do major promoting for my books, i'm going to Kristie for advice.

the sign of a good story...

...is that i care about the characters as much as my own. Kristie Cook has done just that with her characters in Promise. from the very first page, the story has compelled me to keep reading. i think i lost sleep over Alexis and Tristan last night.

i'm sure i'll finish today and then i'll be ready for the sequel, which doesn't come out until Fall 2010.

sigh.

Eldala Giveaway at Kristie Cook's Promise VRP

have you ever been to a party that had a scavenger hunt? i remember going on only one and that was for a Sunday School party. it was actually a photo scavenger hunt. we split up into groups of 4 or 5, took our Polaroid cameras (yes, this was way back before digital), and then had to take pictures of our group doing goofy things. i think one of them was "all 5 of you pumping gas." as i recall, it was a lot of fun.

today, i get to be part of a scavenger hunt. in order to be one of the two winners today at Kristie Cook's Promise Virtual Release Party, you have to answer a question about Eldala when you fill out the entry form. and then a signed copy of Eldala is one of the prizes, so if you were waiting around for a free copy, here's your chance.


for more about the party and blog tour... Friday's VRP Daily Giveaway

for the entry form for today's giveaway... Promise VRP Day 6

big thanks to Kristie for helping me promote my novel. great idea, Kristie. glad i could help.

a Promising adventure

author and blogging friend Kristie Cook has asked me to be part of the Virtual Release Party and Blog tour for her new book Promise. somehow we both missed the fact that we're both indie authors. even if she weren't i'd still be happy to help with the tour and celebrate her book release. you can read more at KristieCook.com.