♥.•*¨ Ivory: Character Interview ¨*•.♥

Melissa penned her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing consistently for fifteen years. She has completed ten young adult novels and several short stories. Her preferred genre is young adult but she writes non-fiction and children’s books as well. Her calling is to connect with others and give hope through writing. Melissa's debut YA science fiction novel, MY BEGINNING, will be published by Lucky Press, LLC on July 1st, 2011. Learn more about Melissa and her books at www.melissaklineauthor.com

 I've had the wonderful opportunity to interview the brave Ivory from Melissa Kline's My Beginning.

Are you guys ready? Here we

GOOooo

So I chanced Ivory on her way out, but we had to be sneaky or we would've been caught! Whew!

MY BEGINNING is a young adult science fiction novel about sixteen-year-old Ivory, a girl who has spent her entire life sealed in an institution. A devastating plague wiped out scores of people and animals, polluting the earth and requiring that children never venture outside. Or is that all a lie? Ivory and Aidan decide to find out. They escape the institution and find a world unlike anything they had ever known.


Ivory's Interview - Institution Living:

E: What do you remember from your early childhood? 

IVORY:

I remember feeling happy and optimistic about life. The mother nurses who raised us were patient and compassionate. The plague and outside troubles were kept secret until we were transferred into the main building. 

E: Do you know anything about your biological parents? Did they survive the plague?

IVORY:

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about my biological parents other than the fact that they died from the plague. I think of them often and fantasize of their existence.

E: Tell me what a typical day is like at the institute?

IVORY:

Dull and monotonous. Every day is filled with the same daunting schedules
and routines. Boys and girls are separated into west and east wings and during the day everyone gathers toward the center where floors of classrooms, gyms, kitchens, dining rooms, a spacious auditorium and huge greenhouse occupy all of our time. We are forbidden to question authority, look at the opposite sex or misbehave in any way.

E: What do you do to stay true to yourself?

IVORY:

I detach as much as I can from the cold, uncompromising atmosphere and escape through dreams and stolen moments of silence. I hold onto the faith that there is more to the world than institution living. 

E: What makes you feel so “different”? Does this give you strength or fear?

IVORY:

I have never been well-liked amongst my peers and get teased for the way that I look. Since I have never seen a reflection of myself, I don't know what I look like, other than glancing down at myself. My skin is very fair, almost white - unlike anyone else. This makes me feel strange and insecure. 

E: When you are alone, what thoughts dominate your mind?

IVORY:

A world free from the plague where healthy people and animals roam the lands. I imagine what it would feel like to walk barefoot in nature - what smells, and sights I might encounter. I fantasize about breaking free from the institution. Sometimes I analyze and question the technicalities of institution existence, which is forbidden.

E: What is your fondest dream? What is your worst fear?

IVORY:

Freedom is what I dream of most. My worst fear is total extinction of the human race. 

E: What do you want to do with your life when you “grow up”?

 IVORY:

Unfortunately, I do not have a choice. My life has been mapped out for me. When I am old enough and have completed my studies, I will be transferred to another institution where I will be of service to other children as a mother nurse. There are no other options.  

E: Is there some part of you that wants to start a new life and share it with the children you love?

IVORY:

Yes! I'd love to break free from the institution walls and create my own existence. How fun it would be to explore and see what the world outside looks like. I fantasize of this often. 

E: How possible do you see yourself changing life as you know it?

IVORY:

I don't think that it is impossible, but I'm not sure I'd be able to have the courage to actually go through with rebelling. Children who misbehave are punished and sent away. If the opportunity presented itself, possibly with the help of another, I might take the risk. 

E: What kind of what-if questions run through your head on a daily basis?

IVORY:

What if...

There had been no plague

My parents survived

I could fly

They are lying to us

I could escape

E: Do you feel that there is more to life than this?

IVORY:

Yes! I believe it with all of my heart. I am not sure how or why, but there has to be more!

E: Do you have any words of wisdom to share with your readers?

IVORY:

Be true to yourself, follow your heart and never stop dreaming.

How can people find out more about your book?

Lucky Press Website: www.luckypress.com/melissakline.html

My Beginning Book Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=52y52Bu9cMc

Melissa Kline's Website: www.melissaklineauthor.com

Lucky Press Blog: http://luckypress.blogspot.com/

Reflections on Writing Blog: http://melissakline.blogspot.com/

Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com

Amazon: www.amazon.com

Ivory, that was one wild interview, I would've lost all my nails by now from biting them if I wasn't holding this pad of paper and pen. Thanks for your time!


Tuesday:   Dark Heirloom by J.D. Brown, Jalmari ta Korento's Interview.

♥.•*¨ Agatha, Character Interview ¨*•.♥

We are about to embark on a chilling journey with Agatha, S.B. Niccum's Veiled. Visit the author's website here if you dare!



Thank you for the chance to interview you, Agatha. Some of these questions are soul-searching, I hope not to cause you too much discomfort. Are you ready?





The Second One has the driving desire to deny everyone their freedom. Please explain your relationship with him.

-He chose me as his mate of-course, there were others…vying for his attention. But he chose me, I didn’t seek him out like the others, he found me. *smirk* I was amusing myself with some lesser intelligences. He thought I had…promise. Now, I’m his queen and we will reign for ever as the rulers of Earth.



Do you have an ulterior motive for such loyalty? Why or why not?

-*dark looks your way* Spirits follow us simply because they need a ruler. All human spirits have…kingly tendencies. They crave to be ruled over; they want someone stronger and more powerful than them to tell them what to do. It gives them a sense of …complacency…comfort…ease.



Everyone was given the opportunity to choose which leader to follow. You hesitated, and your choice took you by surprise just as much as it did everyone else. Could you please tell us what went through your mind as you chose?

-I have no idea what you’re talking about.


 (Denial, classic . . .)



After the separation in Heaven from the Second One, did you feel as if you were losing your identity as his mate? If so, in what way?

-*venomous look* No. Never. I have a plan. I always have a plan.



Your choice probably made the Second One lose all faith in you. How do you propose to prove yourself to him?

-I don’t have to explain myself to you, you insolent little…. What I did, I did for a reason. The Second One needs me on the other side. I will be of better use for him on Earth.

As far as proving myself to him…I can show you myself ... come, follow me to this alcove…you won’t feel a thing…I promise.



Do you believe that living on Earth will change you in any way?

-I will never change. I will prove to him, *smug look* and because I will have a body, I will be greater than the Second One ever was!


Does it frighten you that you will forget all you know—especially your status as Queen—once you’re sent to Earth? Do you think you’re choice will strengthen or weaken you after the test? Do you believe your followers will wait for you?

-Nothing frightens me!

I am confident that I will remember who I was, if not fully, at least partially. I will rise again as Queen, if not in title, I will in power.



What do you think of the saying, “It is better to be the Devil’s right hand than in his path”? Is that why you’re so loyal to the Second One?

*Daggers at you*

-I’m not afraid of anyone, if that’s what you’re implying. The Second One will aid me, you wait and see. He chose me as his mate, he’ll choose me again.



Please be extremely honest—I promise you that the Second One will not hear of this: Was there ever a time in your entire existence that you truly wanted what the Eternals promised?

-You are an infuriating little creature, and if I had a body, I would have my hands tightly clasped around your neck right now.

Have you ever had a taste, even I its slightest, of peace, love and happiness?

-The minute I get my hands on you, I will.



Are you aware that misery is a choice? Are you content to remain as such for eternity?

-What you consider misery I don’t. I thrive on the misery of others, I relish anguish and discord. If I ever feel those things for myself…then I consider myself content.



What words of wisdom do you have for your readers?

-There’s a song I heard just as I was infiltrating a mortal’s…club, is it? “…don’t hang on, all we are is dust in the wind…” Just remember that, *coiling* we are nothing but dust…nothing…nothing.



*Shivers* Ooh, I feel faint! It feels like dark shadows are rushing through me, I’ll take this as my sign to leave. Thank you for your time here in your lovely cave, Agatha. I wish you the best with your upcoming challenges. By the way, Celeste isn’t as bad as you think! :P

The trailer ROCKS!




This Monday: My Beginning by Melissa Kline, Ivory's Interview.

♥.•*¨Book Review: The Perfect Fit by Michele Ashman Bell ¨*•.♥

From the back:

“ . . . Andi is glad to be taking the Butterfly Box with her to Hawaii, where she plans to spend a few weeks participating in a reality dating show. To her surprise, the eligible bachelor, Michael Makura, soon singles her out for attention, provoking jealous acts of sabotage from the other contestants. Soon a series of unusual events disrupt the pairs’ fledgling romance, and Andi starts over in New York where she begins dating a great guy and accepts a job offer from a generous, eccentric man. But when Michael unexpectedly shows up, all is not well in the Big Apple. And soon, Andi faces a threat that could ultimately take her life.”

Michele always delivers!

The same good feeling of slipping into a comfy pair of jeans hit me when I picked up Michele’s The Perfect Fit.  No pun intended! ;)

Her stories ring of pure escapism and refreshing enjoyment.

I love the realism of the well-researched makings of the filming crew and the feel of their orchestration. The characters acted out their parts true to their director’s (Michele) lead. Everything felt believable. I was transported to beaches, sunsets and romance!

If you want your breath taken away, I highly recommend adding The Perfect Fit to your library reads!

♥.•*¨ Karen: Character Interview ¨*•.♥

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Karen Donaldson from Susan Law Corpany's Lucky Change. Sit back, relax, but first grab your popcorn, because we're in for a real treat! 

Karen, thank you for letting sit on her comfy couch for this interview. I'll try not to take too much of your time, seeing your kids may need you at any time.

 Ready?

E: I’ve heard a lot about you—but what strikes me most is how good you are with children. I’m like you, where I’d rather spend my time with my kids than my house—they can pick up after themselves (90% of the mess, anyway).

KAREN:

Well, my kids have been my life. My ex-husband left me when they was little. I ain't never dated much or anything. I just figgered God gave me these two kids to raise and that was my most important life's work. Of course, I ain't never had a great career or nothin' that would make anybody sit up and take notice, just checkin' out the groceries there at Smith's Food King. And yeah, I love the kids in Primary. My church job is teachin' them to sing. Them Primary songs, that's how little testimonies start, singin' about Jesus. So yep, I love kids. They're the best!

 

E: Tell me about your childhood. What is your best memory? Your worst?

KAREN:

 My best memory of childhood is the year my mom made me a bunch of doll furniture for Christmas out of odds and ends she had around the house. We never had a lot of money, but my doll furniture was so cool. It was mostly cardboard and wallpaper and fabric glued together. I still have it in a box in my garage. That's my mother's love made visible. I guess that kinda sums up my childhood--learning to make do and be happy.

One of my worst memories was when I came home from school sad one day because some kid in my class made fun of me because I wasn't pretty. I used to play pretend games, pretend that I was a beautiful fairy princess, but I never played that again after that boy said those mean things to me. But it turned into a good memory, because my mother never let us have pity parties for very long. She told me he was right, that I wasn't the prettiest girl in school and that I never would be. Then she told me that since there were so many girls trying so hard to be the prettiest, I should find something different where there wasn't so much competition. She told me I could be the nicest girl and the friendliest girl. So after that, I tried to be friendly to everybody. I think that's why I am always voted "Most Friendly Cashier" at the grocery store, because I followed my mom's advice.

 

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