Hello! And welcome to the weekend Amaranthine interviews where YOU ask the questions!
In honor of the new book, I’m going to give everyone else some time off and conduct these interviews myself. See what a good author I am?
Jo: Today I am interviewing Verchiel, and we have some great questions! So rather than let him blather an introduction, we’re going to get right to it. Cora asks, “In the last book you always seem to want to say something but hold back. What is it and who is it about?”
Verchiel: Hello Cora! I don’t suppose you’d accept that I don’t remember? I promise it’s not a lie, or me trying to get out of answering, like Jorick does. His interview is next week and you know he’s going to avoid everything.
J: Like you are now? I’ll assume you really don’t remember because you have the brain of a peanut, but you’d better answer this one. It’s also from Cora: Who is your love interest?
V: Now that I can do. My love interest is any available lady! If you’re single, come on down! I’m equal opportunity here, and I have a window in my schedule while my author comes up with excuses to procrastinate.
J: I’m not procrastinating. And that was a crappy answer. Along with that Alicia wants to know: Do you see yourself with a love interest in the future?
V: That depends on how responsive the ladies are to my open call. You don’t need to look at me like that…You’re kind of…glaring…oh, all right! Fine! In the future do I think I will fall in love and stick with just one person? Maybe. If the right one comes along. I’m not a demon eye, so I can’t predict if they will or not, but if they did I would be open to giving it a try. How’s that?
J: Better. And Alicia also asks: Who was your last and who do you want your next sexual a counter be with?
V: OooOOh! A meaty question! Or it could have been, depending on if they were male or…I guess you don’t find that funny? You know, meaty male…okay, okay. Anyway, no, it was a girl…I took her to the movies at the citadel, and then we nipped back to her place afterwards, which was great until her boyfriend showed up. Hey! I didn’t know she had one. Anyway, a bit of an altercation later, and let’s just say I’m not going to do that with her again! As for the next one…I can’t deny forbidden fruit always looks the tastiest, but I’m not that kind of guy, so…
J: And what the hell is that supposed to mean? Never mind. You know what? I don’t want inside your weird head. But while we’re on the topic of sex. Mr. Buck-o, here’s a goody from Amy: Jorick made a comment about the fact that you made Katelina feel euphoria when you fed on her. Do you remember what happened? Is Jorick correct in his assessment that what passed between you and Katelina was indeed a sexual act? (Ha ha! Get out of this one, smeg head!)
V: You seem delighted to put me on the spot. That makes you kind of an evil author, doesn’t it?
J: It would if I didn’t have such bad characters, but since I do it’s just enjoying retribution. Now, the question.
V: Ah. Yes. That. I don’t think Ol’ Jorick is going to like my answer, but I suppose it depends on how you look at it. I mean, I can see his point. I’m not saying he’s right, just that I can see it. But if you ask Kately she’d tell you it was just a normal feeding frenzy, and I see her point, too. In the end it depends on which-
J: Amy knows all that. What she asked was what YOU thought.
V: Me? Like my opinion has ever mattered? You’re glaring again. Okay, okay. If I HAD to be pinned down, I’d lean towards the side of innocence, because I’m an innocent kind of guy. I mean, I WAS starving and all that, so I’m sure I had no idea what was happening and it was all instinct. That I had the presence of mind to make it nice for whoever I happened to be drinking from shows what a nice guy I am.
J: Well, at least it’s sort of an answer. While we’re discussing Katelina, we’ve got a pair of similar questions from Alicia and Laura: “Verchiel, do you feel as though Katelina is more of a sister or do you feel a lot more?” And “What exactly are your feelings for Katelina?”
V: Does Jorick know about these questions. *looks around* You know, I’m surprised he’s not already here.
J: I tied him up so you could answer without getting beaten to a pulp. Now, come on.
V: Well, I am fond of Kately…I mean, she’s kind of like a fluffy little hamster, you know? But not just any fluffy hamster, it’s that fluffy hamster that the bully on the block owns. You know the kid; the one who’d punch anyone’s face in, but the minute he gets home he’s all baby talking to the ball of fur in the cage? Okay. I’ll stop there because I just had the urge to make a joke about slipping the hamster a carrot.
J: What’s wrong with you? Seriously! Why can’t I have nice characters? Don’t answer that. Moving on, Alicia asked: What have you got against Jorick?
V: I don’t know that I have anything against him-
J: You just called him the bully on the block. So come on, fess up. It has to do with Kateesha, doesn’t it?
V: Erm…
V: Yeah, yeah. I was there.
J: Do I detect some irritation? Did that hit a little close to home?
V: Actually, I’m sort of fond of Jorick. I think Kateesha’s obsession rubbed off in a less overpowering and bizarre way. Next question.
J: *cough*liar*cough* I think that gives us some insight into your interest in his hamster. Moving on-
V: Now wait a minute. Don’t make connections where there aren’t any. This isn’t Twilight. We’re not doing a love triangle.
J: Love triangle. That was an interesting choice of words. I just meant that you wanted to ruffle him up by aggravating Katelina because you had deep seated anger hidden under all those layers, but I guess if you want to take it that way… We have one more Katelina themed question from Dawn: what do you think about the relationship between Katelina and Samael?
V: Now that’s better. You mean do I think it’s going to cause problems later? Because I see the potential for it. Sure, she’s had Jorick’s blood, but Micah is her master, and Samael’s bond is as strong, if not stronger, than that, so in the end she’s really torn between Micah and Samael and I think it kind of leaves Jorick out. He knows it. Samael knows it. I know it. I think even Jamie knows it. But Katelina doesn’t. Which I suppose is kind of funny. She’s still doe eyed and innocent and thinks all of those blood connections don’t matter. I guess for her sake I hope she never finds out that they do.
J: That was a nice answer for once. Alicia also asks: Do you want your own pet?
V: Pets can be fun. I’ve had a few over the years. The last one is still alive. She’s a grandmother now. I actually dropped in on her a year or two ago. As for a new pet, I’m up for one. Though they’d have to be self reliant. I can’t take them on assignments, so they’d be home alone a good deal.
J: Speaking of your assignments, Dawn asks: You are so fun loving and lighthearted why would you ever become an Executioner?
V: I fell into it on accident, actually. Not to say I didn’t have an idea what they were to a point. After Kateesha left (which my author has so kindly mentioned) in 1710, I bummed around on my own for a while. In 1920 I finally headed over to America – it was kind of a let down, if you want to know – and since I didn’t know anyone I thought I’d look for Kateesha. I didn’t find her, but Malick heard about me. He summoned me to The Guild, explained what had happened with her revolt, and offered me a job as a guard. Shortly after that – maybe a year? – An Executioner got offed, so he gave me his spot. I didn’t have anything else to do, and the pay and prestige were good. I like to think that I bring a little bit of niceness to the whole establishment.
J: Sure. I think underneath you’re really just as nasty and violent as everyone else. But what do I know? Jenn asks: Where do you see yourself in 7 years?
V: I have no idea. And I’m not avoiding it, I really don’t know. Seven years ago I’d have never guessed I’d be caught up in all this Samael and Lilith end-of-the-world intrigue. That’s really what it is, you know. I agree with someone else who said there was no way you can wrap this all up in one more book.
J: I have faith in my abilities. If necessary, I’ll make it longer than the usual twenty-four chapters. But I’m not the one being interviewed, so it’s time for your final questions. From Cora: Do you really remember things before and right after you were changed or are you just covering up things that you don’t want to talk about?
V: Nope. I really don’t remember anything from before. Okay, there are glimmers now and then…like when we visited that island something about the area felt familiar, but Umi…I mean I sort of felt like I should know her, but I didn’t know how…There’s actually a short story about my origins if you haven’t read it yet. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/578638 (It’s on Barnes and Noble and Apple and Kobo too)
J: And the last question. Dawn asks: Be honest how strong are your mind reading ability’s because I think you have down played them.
V: Ha ha! Dawn’s a smart cookie! I may, on occasion, downplay things a little. I find it’s better if those around you underestimate your intelligence and your abilities. It leaves you a bit of a safety net.
J: And with that we are out of questions!
V: Hang on a second. I have a question for you. I heard a rumor that you were originally going to let ME turn Kately?
J: Yeah. But I ran a poll and everyone said to wait a bit longer, and besides it was too complicated.
V: Seriously? I could have been a father and you yanked that away? *melodramatic groan*
J: Oh grow up. The last thing you need is a fledgling. Go watch TV and be quiet.
Thanks to everyone for stopping in and watching the truck wreck that is me trying to control my characters. Please be sure to look for this week’s bonus follow up post with Katelina and be sure to check out the post where you can leave questions for Jorick, who will be next week’s victim – I mean interview subject.
Thanks for stopping by and playing along!
And don’t forget that you can get your copy of Masque of the Vampire, from all major outlets:
Smashwords | Paperback | Amazon |Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Apple iBooks |Kobo |
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Amaranthine by Joleene Naylor 
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