Meet Liza from Prisoners in the Palace - Day #4

In Michaela MacColl's debut, Prisoners in the Palace, Liza's luxurious life came to a halt when her parents were killed in a carriage accident, leaving her an orphan. Now homeless and with debts to pay, she acquires a job as a maid to Pricess Victoria - but with a catch, she must also act as a spy! I hope you enjoy this interview with Liza!






Your luxurious lifestyle and expecting to join society must have made becoming a maid hard to swallow. What was the toughest part?

The sleeping arrangements were definitely my most difficult obstacle! I was used to feather beds and sheets of silk. My bed at Kensington Palace was lumpy and I was always cold. You never realize how much you take for granted just being warm! I wrapped myself in my mother’s Kashmir shawl just to keep the chills away. Even the lack of a private bath pales in comparison to my nightly struggle to find a comfortable spot to sleep.

Do you think you and the Princess would have become friends had you met up different circumstances (assuming she was allowed out of course!)

What an amusing question, as Victoria might say. I do think we would easily have been friends if our ranks were equal. We had very much in common. We both love fashion, music and the theater. We could dance the night away at balls and fall madly in love with tenors at the opera. So long as we did not discuss matters of social policy or anything too intellectual, we could be close confidantes. And as a lady should never be too political or intellectual, Victoria’s company would be excellent discipline for me not to get unladylike ideas!

Why do you think it took so long for Elizabeth to stand up for herself?

Many young women from my background never learn to stand up for themselves. It is actively discouraged by the adults who try to safeguard us. If my life had gone according to plan, I would have been handed from my father’s care into my husband’s. It was fate’s intervention that gave me the opportunity to learn what inner strength I might draw upon. It helped that I first learned to stand up for others before myself.

Do you plan to visit, the now Queen Victoria, in the future?

Of course I do! After all we went through together, how could I resist seeing her in all her royal glory? I hear that she will leave Kensington Palace, so I’ll have to visit her in the new palace at Buckminister. I must also confess to being wildly curious as to how Victoria will handle all that power! She’s not accustomed to making her own decisions. I hope she makes good ones, not just for her own sake but for the nation’s.

If you could say one thing to Simon now, what would be it be?

Hmmm. I think perhaps I would tell him to think twice before he is seduced again by the promise of wealth and rank. Just because the aristocrats seem to have everything in life they could ever want, the truth may be very different. It doesn’t pay to envy your betters.

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Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home...Can I Keep Him? on 28 October 2010.

Sam's Support

Hello everyone! Today Change of Heart week continues with an interview with Sam. Sam is an important character to the story as he is Emmi's boyfriend. Sam and Emmi start going out right before she gets sick and so their relationship is really new and they both go through a lot during the course of the book. Please welcome Sam to the blog and I hope you enjoy learning more about him.

Full Name: Samuel Paul Hunter

Nickname: Sam

Age: 16

Favorite food: Hamburgers, except when I’m training, then it’s steamed fish (only kidding—I hate steamed fish).

Favorite color: Navy Blue

Favorite number: 12-my baseball number

Favorite kind of music: Rap

Please tell us a little about you. 

I play baseball for North Village High. Unlike a lot of my buddies, I’m pretty good at school and that’s important to me. I mean, I love sports and hanging out and talking about hot girls, but I also want to do other things, too.

What do you like to do in your free time? 

Emmi's Change of Heart

Hello everyone! Today I am pleased to continue Change of Heart week with an interview with Emmi. Emmi is the main character ofChange of Heart. She's 16 up until she got sick she was an active soccer player and just your typical teen. Please welcome Emmi to the blog and I hope you enjoy learning more about her.

Full Name: Emmi Miller

Nickname: none

Age: 16

Favorite food: sushi

Favorite color: purple

Favorite number: 12-Sam’s baseball number

Favorite kind of music: Popular music. But I’m starting to get into old rock bands with my friend Abe

Please tell us a little about you.

For most of my life, it’s been all about the soccer. I play on an elite travel team, my school team and I even got to play in Europe last summer. I’m working my butt off to try to get a college scholarship. But now I got sick and without a heart transplant I might die. So in order for me to live, some other person must die. How do you wish for that? How do you not? It’s a horrible thing to think about.

Tell me about your parents. How well do/did you get along with them?

My dad’s the best. He totally got me into soccer and he even plays on an over 40 team. My mother is another story. She can be the biggest buzz kill ever—constantly on my case. She just doesn’t get me. She’s gotten a little better since I’ve been sick, but I’m wary.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Now—not much. I sit around my house, make photo collages and wait for someone to text me or IM me. Life is going on all around me and I’m stuck waiting.

Could you share with us a little about your life before you got sick?

It was mostly soccer, soccer and a little more soccer. I have a bunch of close friends: Becca, Lauren and Noelle. They’re all my soccer buds, but we hang out a lot off the field, too. I’ve always been healthy, and I guess I just took that for granted.

How has the need for a heart transplant changed your life?

Learning More About Matthew

It wasn't a surprise that when I went to interview Claire, Matthew was close by. Being the main character and all, we know a lot more about Claire so my questions for Matthew (who by the way is a total sweetheart!)were a little more deep. Again, not to worry these are spoiler-free!


What was it about Claire that made you fall head over heels for her?

She’s so *herself.* I was so tired of dating girls that spend all their time playing games, trying to be whatever they thought I wanted them to be. And Claire was so smart and funny and quiet without being shy. I just never thought she’d be interested in dating someone like me - that she’d think I was just another jock. She’s so strong and amazing, and not just because she’s a werewolf. It’s just *her.*

Will your scientist Dad would ever understand if you told him about you and Claire?

My dad is really...focused. He’s spent practically his whole life trying to perfect his cure for lycanthropy. I don’t think he would be able to get over that - to see Claire for the amazing person that she is. I wish he could see past her werewolf side. That he could think of her as something other than a dangerous test subject. But I just don’t think he’d be able to do that. And I’d never, ever want to risk Claire’s life by trying to find out for sure!

Do you think more people could be like you and accept werewolves for who they are as humans and not just see them as animals?

I wouldn’t be surprised - I think if people knew that these nice, normal women that they see everyday are werewolves, maybe they could get past all the stereotypes. I know that everyone’s scared of attacks, but humans kill each other, too, and we’re not terrified of every person we pass on the street. It’s not fair that people like Claire and Marie and Beatrice have to spend their whole lives hiding. Maybe someday, they’ll be able to live in the open. I hope so.

Doesn't the thought of your girlfriend turning into a wolf kinda freak you out?

Yes and no. I mean, the wolf world is really intense and there’s not a lot of room for humans - especially human guys - there. So that’s a little hard sometimes. But Claire’s wolf side is half of who she is - with out that, she wouldn’t be *her.* And I love the person that she is - strong, smart, wild and contained at the same time. So, no, the thought of her transforming doesn’t make me want to run away and hide or anything, but figuring out the wolf part of her world has been kind of hard at times. Worth it though. Hard, but totally worth it.


This week you have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Claire de Lune (CAN/US only), OR one of six signed bookplates (open internationally!) by filling out the form here. Don't forget you get an extra entry for each thoughtful comment :)

Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home...Can I Keep Him? on 17 June 2010.

Chatting it up with Claire

At 16, the main character in Claire de Lune finds out that she's...well a little bit different! I had a chance to ask her a few questions, don't worry it's spolier-free :)

Did you ever think, growing up, that your family was a little odd?

Not really. I mean, I knew my family was different than, say, Emily’s family, but it just seemed NORMAL to me. Plus, once Lisbeth came, it actually seemed easier than having my mom around all the time, breathing down my neck about stuff. I was so happy that she wasn’t prying into my secrets that I didn’t really think she might have one of her own!

How long had Matthew been on your radar?

Um, since the first day I walked into school? No, seriously. He was a sophomore when I was a freshman, but we’d gone to different middle schools, so I’d never seen him before. His locker was sort of near mine that year, and he was so gorgeous, I couldn’t NOT notice him. But I never thought he’d actually pay any attention to me...

What is your favorite part of being a were?

I love the hunt. Really. I mean, I love so many parts of it - the heightened senses (even though that took awhile to adjust to!) and the running and the way we can communicate with one another without talking. But hunting rolls all that up together and adds the excitement of chasing something. Of course, at the end of the hunt, there’s always the killing part, which took some time to get used to, but it’s no different than eating a steak you buy in the grocery - and it’s a lot fairer to catch it yourself!

What do you think your BFF Emily would do if she knew the truth?

It’s so hard - I know that she would really, really *want* to keep it a secret, but she’s pretty much the worst secret keeper I know. I mean, it’s like the words just leap out of her mouth. I really want to tell her, but it’s just too big a risk, for everyone. When I can’t stand it anymore, I always remind myself that I can tell her tomorrow. That makes it sort of bearable, knowing that I always *could* tell her. Just not today.

(awww, love this answer!)

This week you have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Claire de Lune (CAN/US only), OR one of six signed bookplates (open internationally!) by filling out the form here. Don't forget you get an extra entry for each thoughtful comment :)

Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home..Can I Keep Him? on 16 June 2010.

Interview with Cass

Hi Cass! Nice to have you on the blog today!

First off, could you describe yourself with three words?
Geeky. Sincere. Brave.

Julia and you planned to go on a road trip to California. Have you ever thought about which places you'd visit when you reached Cali? If yes, which three places would you visit?
We wanted to travel the old Route 66, which would have taken us into Los Angeles. I wanted to go up to Berkeley and San Francisco and over to Yosemite to see the redwoods, but we might not have ever had time for that. But we would have gone to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hung out on the beach, for sure.

I want to go to the Hollywood Walk of Fame too!

What are some songs on your iPod?
Okay, I know that I'm the very last person on earth to not have an iPod, but I don't have an iPod. I don't really have the cash to spare right now, and besides, I get everywhere on my bike. And I refuse to bike with headphones on. You can't hear what's going on around you and it's absolutely suicidal. Having said all that, I'm listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin and Queen right now.

Julia was your best friend for a long time, what was your first impression of her?
She was so friendly and outgoing. She treated it as a foregone conclusion that we were going to be friends now and she didn't want to hear any arguments about it! She always wanted to be the center of attention and she'd drag me right into the center of attention with her.

Interview with Sienna 'Sea' Jones

Hi Sienna, it's a pleasure to finally meet you! To tell you the truth, I am very curious, why does Spider call you 'Sea'?
Oh, because that was my nickname when I was a kid. I guess because I liked the ocean so much.

Could you share with us about what life was like before your mom's airplane disappeared? What were some of the activities you did together with her?
She was just awesome. We did the usual stuff, hung out. It wasn't so much what we did together, but more like how we were together. Does that make sense? She just got me.

Since going to Indonesia, how has it changed your life?
Oh, man. You'll have to read the story. I can't spoil you like that.

Oops! :P Looks like you, dear reader, will have to buy Sea to find out! ;) As you can see on the image on the right, the coconut drink is one of the exotic food (in this case, drink) Sienna tries while in Indonesia.

The Indonesian culture is very different compared to the American culture. Which ascept do you find the most fascinating?
How it is so different. How the kids were so unified, and treated each other like family even though they weren't always related by blood. They have such a strong sense of faith too, and coming from a pretty non-religious family that was really neat and curious. How much they trusted in something they couldn't see, but could feel. You know?

Interview with Maggie from Faithful

Hello everyone today I have hopped in my handy dandy time machine and have gone back to the year 1904. 1904 was a big year some things that happened are: the US gained control of the Panama Canal, the Benfica soccer team was founded in Portugal, and Kaiser Wilhem II of Germany makes the first political recording using Thomas Edison's cylinder. There is also a huge fire in Toronto that destroys much of the city but had no fatalities. There is a tornado in Moscow and the 3rd modern olympic games opens in St Louis Missouri as part of the World's Fair. In Russia the Trans-Siberian railway is completed and the first underground line of the NYC subway opens. In November, Theodore Roosevelt is reelected President of the US and in December Charles Dillon Perrine discover's Jupiter's largest irregular satellite, Himalia and in NYC the first Times Square New Year's Eve celebration is held. This is the world that Maggie was born into where the modern age is really just beginning and taking off but that the old traditions of seasons and society are still holding on.

Full Name: Margaret Bennet
Nickname: Maggie
Age: 16
Favorite food: Trifle – it’s a dessert with layers of sponge cake, custard and fruit. Not that I can make it, but Cook does it wonderfully. It’s very rich and yummy. I have to let out my corset after I eat it.
Favorite color: Green
Favorite number: Seven
Favorite kind of music: The new thing called “ragtime.” But I wouldn’t tell Papa I listen to it – he’d disapprove. It’s too light-hearted for him.

Please tell us a little about you.

I’m still trying to find out who I am. I think I’m getting an idea – I like photography, now that I’m learning something about it from my friend Mrs. Gale. But what could I do with photography? Women don’t work after all, do they? I’m supposed to get married to the right man, have children, do charity work…but as I think about it, that sounds so boring. But I do like pretty clothes. I like being taken care of. I guess you could say I’m confused. Do I want someone to take care of me, or do I want to be independent?

Tell me about your parents. How well do/did you get along with them?

Faithful Character Interview: Tom

Hello everyone today I have the great honor of presenting to you Tom Rowland who is a character in Janet Fox's debut novel Faithful. Faithful is primarily the story of "sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be." (description taken from Amazon.com)

Full Name: Tom Rowland
Nickname: Tom
Age: 17
Favorite food: Ice cream! But only when I’m sharing with Maggie.
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite number: Five
Favorite kind of music: Mozart. The new phonograph I have – I can play a recording – amazing stuff – and listen to an entire Mozart sonata in my own house.

Please tell us a little about you.

I’m the kind of guy who loves the out-of-doors. My dad is a geologist who works out in the field mapping and collecting samples and I’ve been following him everywhere since I can remember. But I’m not much of a hunter. Not that I haven’t done my share of hunting; I just prefer my animals alive so I can watch them. Now give me a fly fishing rod and I could spend all day fishing. I have to work hard in school, but I have plans to attend the college in Bozeman, and hard work is what it takes, right?

Tell me about your parents. How well do/did you get along with them?

I have a lot of respect for my dad. He’s smart and quiet and he doesn’t mind taking me along with him when he works. My mom is a sweet, kind person who likes to volunteer at the local hospital – I guess that’s where I get my inclination for biology. You could say we’re a close family. We don’t argue much. Except maybe when I’m told to straighten up my room when I’m in the middle of a project. Even then I’ve never heard my mom raise her voice. She just gives me the look, you know?

What do you like to do in your free time?

Interview with Tessa from Tension of Opposites

What is the best thing that happened since Noelle returned home?

Could you share with us about what life was like before Noelle was kidnapped? What were some of the activities you did together?

Meeting Budding Superhero Amelia Tine, Half sister to... Who?!

Today I am pleased to welcome Amelia Tines to my blog. Amelia is the half-sister of Damian Locke, who stopped by yesterday . I had hoped that Kat, Damian's girlfriend, but.....um.....well.....if you've read the story then you might know the sort of answer I got in response to my request. Fortunately though Amelia was more then happy to fill in for her.


First off, please tell us a little about you.

My name's Amelia Tines and I'm fifteen—almost fifteen and a half—and I'm a superhero. Oh, and I guess I'm Damien's half sister, but that better not be why you're interviewing me.

Um....no....that isn't the only reason why I am interviewing you. I swear. So um....moving on. What can you tell us about living in Golden City?

Golden City is great. Most superheroes go to specific schools where everyone's a superhero, but I go to regular school, so I'm the only hero. And everyone knows my dad's the Crimson Flash and has his own TV show, and my mom pretty much saved Golden City before I was born. Even though they should, nobody really pays that much attention to me at school, but I'm sure all of that will change next year, when I get my H and my flying power comes in.

If you could choose your superpower, rather then random genetics, which would choose?

Um, flying, duh. I want to be just like my dad.

What is the best thing about being a superhero? The worst?

The best thing about being a superhero is being someone everyone can look up to. People need superheroes, so if you are one, then you're automatically needed by everyone. The worst thing about being a superhero is having to wear spandex. It's not right for, um, every body type.

It's not just you Amelia. Spandex isn't right for anyones body type. What are you most looking forward to about going to Heroesworth Academy?

Having superhero friends and impressing my teachers with really good grades. Also joining the flying team once my power comes in.

What’s it like to suddenly have an older brother…especially one who turns out to be a supervillain? What’s been the best part about meeting your new brother? The worst?

Ugh. I already have one brother—I didn't need another one. And I was the oldest before he came along. Now I'm like yesterday's chopped liver. It's a good thing he's not staying with us permanently. The best part about meeting him is what a loser he is. Even if they won't admit it, my parents can clearly see how much better I am than him. He doesn't even want to be a superhero or fly or any of that, and I'm really passionate about all of it. So having him around emphasizes all of my best qualities, since his are so awful. The worst part about having him around is him getting attention and also talking to my friends. Can't he just mind his own business?!

Unfortunately Amelia, you are learning just what pains older brothers can be. I have one as well and I know exactly how they can be. lol


Well, thanks for taking the time to talk with me for a bit. Before we go, are there final words you’d like to say?

Yeah, I'd like to thank everyone for reading—you've been a great audience—and if anyone still has any questions about what it's like to be a superhero, especially one with famous parents, feel free to ask me tons of questions.


To learn more about Amelia Tine head to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell.

Talking to Real Life Supervillain, Damien Locke

Hello Internet today I have a very special guest for you. It took a bit of tracking down as he is always on the move plotting evil plots and casing buildings....but after some plotting of my own I finally got Damian Locke to agree to sit down for a few minutes and answer some questions.

First off, please tell us a little about you.

I'm a supervillain, obviously. I've lived in Golden City my whole life, but I don't see why I'd want to be anywhere else. I mean, sure, this city has the highest population of superheroes in the U.S., but it also has the highest number of supervillains. Plus, having a few heroes around keeps things interesting. You have to have someone to mess with, right?

What can you tell us about living in Golden City?

Learning More About Logan

When I had the chance to interview Aura, wouldn't you know it Logan was there too...I just couldn't see or hear him! Aura acted as a mediator for me, I had so many questions for him (but as you can see we had to cut it short). In case you haven't read Shade yet, there are two guys in Aura's life: Logan & Zachary. I must admit I was leaning more towards team Zachary when reading the book, but Logan just may have have won me over, I'm not so sure anymore!


If you could go back in time and change one thing (besides your death) what would it be?

I wish I’d played that song for Aura, the one I wrote for her. I thought there’d be another chance. I thought there’d be lots more chances for lots more things.

God, sorry, that sounds pathetic. I’m not really like that. Mostly I don’t bother with regrets. Life’s too short, y’know? Especially mine. Jeez, I’m getting worse, aren’t I? Next question?

Now that you are a spirit, what do you miss most?

A Chat with Aura from SHADE

Aura is the main character in Shade. Her life right now has gotten a bit weird, even for her! Not only does she lose her boyfriend to an accidental overdose & continue seeing him, she meets Zachary who has his own secrets & possibly answers about the Shift that she is eager to uncover. I had the opportunity to ask Aura a few questions, so sit back, grab your coffe & enjoy!

How long have you know you were 'special'?

It’s funny, when I was really young I didn’t know I was special. My whole life, the world has had two kinds of people: the living—who are solid and come in all colors—and ghosts, who glow in violet and are completely untouchable. In nursery school, most of my friends could see ghosts, too. I thought it was something kids could do and grownups couldn’t, like ride a tricycle or do a somersault without hurting themselves.

It wasn’t until I started playing with some of the older kids in the neighborhood (like Logan, who’s two months older) that I realized it wasn’t just grownups who couldn’t see ghosts. I think I was in kindergarten when I found out that my birthday was the same day as the Shift. Eventually I found out that it happened the minute I was born. Which was pretty freaky.

Do you believe in fate?

No. That’s depressing.

Do you appreciate being born post-Shift since it means you are able to spend more time with Logan?

Interview with Desi from Princess For Hire!

Hi Desi! Could you describe yourself in three words?
Uh… hard-working (that still counts as one word, right?), nice and… geeky. Good geeky, though. Is there a word for good geeky?

Could you share with us about your life in Idaho before you became a substitute princess?
My life in Idaho could have been like any girl’s life anywhere. I had some rough stuff happen with friends, I had some insecurities, but also a good family and other things that made me happy. Sometimes, I blamed my misfortunes on where I lived, but I see now that every girl has drama to overcome.

Of all the princess jobs you have done, which one was your favorite?
Elsa. For anyone who knows about that job, I think it’s obvious why I liked this one best.

Interview with Rose from THE OWL KEEPER:

First off, I have to compliment you on your name: Artemis Rose. Wow, that is definitely a show-stopper. Anyways, welcome Rose! Now to get down to business, how would you describe your first encounter with Max by the owl tree? What did you think when you saw his golden-eyed, fragile silver owl?
Hi LiLi. I like my name too, it’s very special because I’m named for the moon goddess Artemis who was strong and brave, like I am, except the real Artemis knew how to shoot arrows (but maybe one day I’ll learn how to do that too). When I very first saw Max I thought: who is this scrawny scared-looking kid wearing the weird hat with a bobble and earflaps? I knew he was upset to see me there and I thought well too bad because I go where I want in the nights and nobody can stop me.

But I also realized this kid was special, because he was out in the night, not like most people who’re afraid of the dark. Then I saw this owl up in the tree and it didn’t look too good because its wing was sticking out funny and its eye was only half-open. But its wings were all shiny and silver! Max kept saying it was some old barn owl, but I knew he was just trying to trick me.

Throughout your journey with Max, I noticed you tended to have a whole mess of adventures together. What were some of your best times during those beginning thrilling times?

Lots of our adventures were really scary and we had some pretty close getaways, so they were good and bad all at the same time. But I had fun kicking over Mrs. Crumlin’s basket of muffins and stomping on them and seeing her face go red – she was so mad! It was fun, too, trying to figure out the owl’s message and all that stuff about the prophecy. And even though I was scared out of my wits, I loved the way we left the fortress when the wolf chased us (but I’m not telling you any more about that because you have to read the book to find out what happened!)

How was life growing up with a rebellious father and having a hard time trusting anyone anywhere you were?

Both my parents were secret rebels against the High Echelon and I think that’s very cool. My father always told me to be a free spirit and to think for myself. He said it was important to trust my instincts and not believe everything people told me just because they were adults—especially if I thought they were, like, spies or worked for the High Echelon.

If it's not to painful could you tell us something you remember about your mother before she was falsely incarcerated?

I remember we were hiding out in a place called Tattersall Heath and all around were cornfields and orchards and red-gold wheat and junked tractors and there was this shut-down theme park and my mom and I walked around it and there was this ride she said was called a merry-go-round and she lifted me up on one of the painted horses and we laughed and laughed.

When you heard Max's tales about the Owl Keeper, what was your initial feeling/reaction?


I’d never heard of an Owl Keeper before and I thought Max was just making it up. I told him too bad the Owl Keeper’s not real because we could use somebody around here like that. But he kept saying the Owl Keeper was real so I told him that the Owl Keeper better hurry up and help us because things were falling apart left and right.

Most importantly, how was it that you could cope so well it seems--since you were always the tough one--with the spurts of blindness in the final journey?

Hey, did you forget my name or what? I’m Artemis, the goddess of wild things who was totally fearless and shot her enemies through the heart with arrows! I can handle anything because I’m super tough and I never, ever give up. (On the other hand, I guess you could was glad to have my friend Max along when things got really bad)

And finally, how do you feel about Max? What changed about you when you really got to know him?

Well, Max was pretty lonely and he didn’t know a lot of things because he was stuck inside his house all those years with that old biddy guardian and he was totally clueless about what was going on with the High Echelon and everything. But Max was so kind to his little owl, and that really got to me, and the more I hung out with him, the more I started to think he was kind of mysterious.

Then we ran into the forest and even though Max was scared to death he did lots of brave things and didn’t give up, and he helped me out when things got really bad. One time we thought wolves were going to get us and Max said if anything happened would I remember that we were friends. That was so cute! Like we were olden-day friends and we’d be friends forever.

Any last hoots? (Or should I say barks? Growls? Hmm...)

If you ever get a new dog, especially a shaggy black one that barks a lot, and you don’t know what to name him, then I know a great name: Helios. Helios was a sun god who drove the chariot of the sun and I can’t think of a better name for your dog.

Bye LiLi!

Cross-posted at: ChicaReader on 18 April 2010.

Character Interview with Max Unger (The Owl Keeper)

I had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing Maxwell Unger from Christine Brodien-Jones' The Owl Keeper.

Look below to see what he had to hoot:

Hey Max, from the beginning to your present, how has your perception of Rose changed?

When I first saw Rose under the owl tree, looking all wild and acting kind of superior and everything, I was scared out of my wits! Rose was so bossy and annoying, and I never knew whether I could believe anything she told me. I didn’t even know if I could trust her! What if she was a spy for the High Echelon? But now, after our long scary journey together, we’re the best of friends, and I’ll do anything to protect her, just like my silver owl. I guess you could say Rose is my best friend in all the world (even if she still gets a bit bossy sometimes). I think she’s totally brave and amazing.

Have you always hated Mrs. Crumlin's cooking, and is there a dish that at least tastes slightly edible before you found out the truth?

Everything Mrs. Crumlin cooked was always burned and had a weird texture and made my stomach do flip-flops. She was always trying out these disgusting radio cook-show recipes. I guess when I was younger I sort of liked her griddlers, that is if I poured enough golden-eye treacle over them to drown out the metallic taste…

You say that you love the night, what are some basic things you like about it?

I love everything about the night: the way the dark wraps around me like a cloak, climbing the owl tree and sitting in the dark with my owl, gazing off into the forest (which can be a bit scary sometimes). I love the smells in the night, and sometimes the sound of a distant bird or animal (though, sadly, there aren’t too many left). I love the light of the two moons shining down and the way the cattails whipped at my legs and the overarching branches of trees against the sky.

What's one memory you can remember about a time when you went hiking with your gran in the woods?

When I was little I’d go tramping off into the night with my gran; back then the forest wasn’t so dangerous. My best memory is of us going deep into the forest, where I found a certain kind of fungus that glows in the dark. It was really cool and I was so excited I started jumping around and accidentally stepped on it. I started to cry, so to cheer me up, Gran told me a story about an Owl Keeper and these magical creatures, the silver owls. It was the first of many times that she told me these tales of how the owls were freed from a dark spell and about the Owl Keeper who, in times of darkness, gathered silver owls and Sages to fight the powers of evil.

How does it feel being so young and having to adjust to a fated destiny?

It’s kind of hard. Sometimes I think: why can’t I just be an everyday all-American kid hanging out with my friends after school and going to friends’ birthday parties and stuff? But I’ve always known, deep down, that I wasn’t meant to have, like, an ordinary kind of life.

Any last hoots?

I just want to say that if you’re looking for a pet, owls are the best pets in the world because they’re mysterious and loyal and they cough up owl pellets that sometimes contain interesting things.

I’m happy to meet you, LiLi, and I hope you like owls as much as I do. (:

Thanks for stopping by, Max! Pleasure to hoot with you. ;)

More about Christine and The Owl Keeper:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter 

Cross-posted at: ChicaReader on 15 April 2010.

Surprise guest, meet Tom!

I had a chance to talk to Tom before he....well, you'll have to read the story ;)

What did it feel like when Abbie looked in your eyes and realized what you really were?

I don’t mind saying I was powerful lonely right up to that moment but then it was as if the front door had opened and Abbie invited me in. Crikey! That Abbie’s a grand girl. Just grand.

While living with the Adams you read many books, which book was your favorite?

By Jings, it’s a bully high school textbook Doctor Adams secured for me, called Physics: Principles with Applications. I stayed up all night with that one and learned a powerful amount. I tried and tried to tell Abbie all about it but she kept pretending she was snoring.

Being transported from the 19th century, what was the strangest thing you saw?

It gave me a terrible turn but when I first arrived in the 21st century, I got lost in a parking lot. It scared the dickens out of me because I had a hard time figuring what all those big metal things with wheels were. But I quickly deduced that they were rolling conveyances of some sort. I was just desperate to study on what made them move but since I happened to be fleeing for my life just then, I didn’t get much of a chance. And I love a microwave. Just love it. To see those cheesy, bready things Abbie calls pizza turn round and round like that. The way they start bubbling up and steaming. I’m so glad the fella who invented the microwave thought to put a window in it. That was a great notion. Wish I’d had it.

Of all your inventions, what is your favorite?

Well of course I’m only thirteen, so I haven’t invented too much of anything just yet, and blame it all, when I get back to the past, I’ll forget everything that happened to me in the 21st century so I’ll have no idea what I’m going to invent. But I’ve been doing some Google-searches on myself and it seems my assistants in my lab and I will tackle inventing a Kinetograph and a Kinetoscope. That’s the first motion picture camera and a box to view the moving pictures in! I love the movies. Did you know you can see them in all three dimensions now?! That’s some bully inventing right there.

What do you wish you invented?

Since everybody’s always clapping me on the back about inventing the light bulb, I sure enough wish I truly had! The truth is, in 1840, a British fella named Warren de la Rue invented the first electric light bulb but he used platinum coil in it so it was too costly to manufacture. In 1879, I came along and got the notion of using a long-burning carbon filament. Well, after getting the notion for about a thousand things that didn’t work so well first. I sorry to say I didn’t invent the light bulb, I only perfected it.

Who knew, I learned something new today! Thanks for popping in Tom.

(Just a reminder that the draw for a signed copy of The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams ends tomorrow morning at 8 AM EST!)

Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home on 15 April 2010.

Meet Abbie Adams!

Abbie Adams is the main character in The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams. She is in the 5th grade and one curious little girl. Without further ado, here's my interview with Abbie! (Don't forget there's a chance to win a signed copy - click here to enter!)

What is the hardest part about being a witch?

Well, gee, I don’t want to get all poor me or anything because... well sure, I can do stuff like zap myself onto a beach in Hawaii any old time I feel like it. But just try never being able to tell your best friend about who you really are. Sometimes I even have to lie about it. To my best friend!!

Of all the spells you know, which is your favorite & what does it do?

I’ll tell you the truth, it’s one my mom hardly ever lets me use...but it’s a really sweet one that involves a little wiggling of the fingers and thinking about a dish towel. In two seconds flat, all the dishes are done and completely put away, counters cleaned and all. Am I right? Sweet? Mom only lets us use it on special occasions though. Since it’s a non-witch world we live in, she’s a big stickler about my brother and I learning to do things without magic. Sigh.
Oh. I bet you were thinking about something a little more glamorous weren’t you? But come on! Getting out of doing the dishes? You gotta admit, that’s a good one.

Can you tell us about your most embarrassing moment?

My dad says it’s not that unusual in a young witch but I have a little problem sometimes with buildup of excess magic charge in my fingertips. It drives me crazy! Just to make it extra horrible it always gets worse when I’m nervous. And I happened to be kind of nervous one day at school, when I was about to deliver my oral report on Betsy Ross...because the truth is, I didn’t really have a lot of time to do any research because all week long my brother Munch had been...well...that’s another story.
Anyway, while I was in the middle of a sweeping gesture showing how big the first flag was, a HUGE bolt of magic charge suddenly discharged from my fingertips—and it zapped my teacher Miss Linegar right on the rear end. She jumped about a mile and was looking around to see what had stung her...and I had to pretend I had no idea what had happened. That’s while I was right in the middle of trying to pretend that I had plenty of ideas about Betsy Ross..., which I unfortunately didn’t. I’m hoping I grow out of that one soon.

If you were allowed to use magic to turn yourself into anything for just one day, what would it be?

Um...I hate to seem braggy, but..well...I kinda can turn myself into anything any old time. It’s always fun but I think the most fun I ever had was when Munch and I turned ourselves into wild mustangs in Montana and joined a herd there. We spent the whole day running races against each other through the canyons.
Will you ever go back in time to visit Tom?

You know I’d like to, but I’m afraid it would make me really sad. You see when we go back in time, we’re not allowed to talk to anyone there because it would change the past. We always have to disguise ourselves as pillars or something and just watch. And just watching somebody you’re dying to hang out with...it would be awfully disappointing I think.

What would you like to be/do when you grow up?

That’s an easy one. I’m going to be an actress like my Aunt Sophie. She’s really famous and gets to be in all kinds of movies. And well... I mean here I go getting braggy again, but after Aunt Sophie saw me in my play...um, you don’t have to go telling everyone this or anything, but she said I was a born actress.

Thanks for stoppong by Abbie!

Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home on 13 April 2010.

Eddy shines a light

The main character from Jacqueline's debut middle grade book has stopped by for a chat today!



Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Eddy Thomas.

Is Eddy short for Edison?

I will not answer that question.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to build things out of stuff people throw out. You would not believe the useful items people discard. Sometimes they are not even broken. I pick them up off of the curb so they do not go into the landfill. Sometimes I fix them, or I take them apart and use the parts for other things. For example, I made a sort of alarm clock using the clock from a coffee maker that you can program to make your coffee in the morning so it is ready for you.

There are two kinds of coffee beans. Coffea arabica is generally considered to be of higher quality. Coffea canephorais also called robusta and is easier to cultivate.

What else?

I also have a collection of DVDs of science fiction and fantasy movies. I do not really like the stories because they are not real, but I like to figure out how they do the special effects. Sometimes you can find this out from the extra discs they include. The DVDs of The Lord of the Rings (Three movies directed by Peter Jackson and released in 2001, 2002, and 2003) include an especially extensive collection of features about special effects. I thought it was very interesting to see the different ways they made the hobbits look small. Many of the techniques did not even use computers. For example, forced perspective is an optical illusion that makes things closer to you seem bigger and things farther away seem smaller.

What’s your favorite food?