Hello! My name is Katelina, and welcome to Weekend Character Interviews. Using state of the art-mumbo-jumbo author magic, Jo has temporarily bent the laws of fictional space and time to allow various literary universes to converge long enough for me to ask different characters a few questions. Since I spend a lot of time in the Amaranthine series quizzing vampires on what they’re doing, where they’re going and why, Jo thought I would be the perfect interviewer.

Today we are interviewing John Hendry, who is from Roger Lawrence’s horror novel Kongomato.

Katelina: Hello John! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

John: I’m an Exo-biologist which is just a fancy name for someone who searches for mythical or just extinct animals. I like the job because I don’t have to deal with people too often. I live in London now since I got fired from my job with a university which funded my research. I’m in my mid thirties. I’m no Brad Pitt but the girls seem to like my appearance and I am always keen to be with them when my research allows, which is not often. For some reason they don’t really get what I do.

K: Sounds safe enough. Not the kind of job where you have a lot of enemies, is it?

J: My biggest enemies are the government bureaucrats I managed to upset by breaking into that foreign embassy and stealing secrets. Oh, and calling the Prime Minister of Great Britain a rude word couldn’t have helped much. Compared to them, the monster currently roaming the skies of London and eating people, is relatively harmless.

K: Whoa! Monster? There’s a monster?

J: Yes, that’s what the Kongomato of the title is. A rather large, nasty monster.

K: Wow, so you’re fighting a monster?

J: Yes. I’m trying to end this madness before it’s too late by working with someone I hate and cannot trust while trying to work out what is really going on behind the scenes.

K: Do you hate the monster?

J: No not really. He’s just looking for food. But if it comes near me and I’ve got a gun, I’ll kill it.

photo by Jo

K: So, you mentioned government bureaucrats as enemies. I imagine there’s some kind of government cover up – or else it’s all their fault?

J:…

K: Are you saying you really don’t understand what the government is doing?

J: No I really don’t. Our government wouldn’t do anything to hurt us, then cover it up – would they?

K: Ah. I see. But you’re fighting the monster and fighting the government. Doesn’t that make you a hero?

J: To which I’d answer yes, but in reality, not really. I’m terrified most of the time.

K: Well there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m scared a lot of the time, and I’m just dealing with vampires! I don’t suppose there’s any time for a romance in all this, is there?

J: I have to work with my ex-girlfriend, whom it turns out, was working for someone else against me. So I never thought I would meet another girl that I could love. But now I’ve met a young doctor called Annie. My friend Carl has a thing for her. I can’t help myself. I think there could be something between us but it’s going to hurt Carl.

K: Man, nothing in your life is easy! What would you say is the one event that has helped to shape who you are?

J: My mum and dad’s money. I never had to work really hard and a result, I’m very selfish. It’s a bad trait and I hate it in myself.

K: Ah. Well how do you evolve during the story?

J: I’m a user. I’ve been doing it for years and hate myself for it. So now I am trying very hard to stop it and repay my friend, Carl’s kindness. I think I’m managing it, some of the time.

photo by Horia Varlan via Flickr

K: Well that’s good, right? You’re getting better. And you recognize the problems. They say that’s the first step to recovery. What would you say is the one thing you want the most in the world?

J: My own research project, where I discover the remains of the most fantastic mythical creature. A bit childish, I know, but we all have our dreams.

K: Nothing wrong with that. At least it’s a goal. It looks like we’re almost out of time. If you could say one thing to your readers, what would it be?

J: If you have true friends, don’t abuse them. I’ve done it all my life and now I don’t know who I can trust.

K: And finally, If you could say one thing to your author, what would it be?

J: I’d say: Can I have a bit more time with Annie. And why couldn’t she live in a different block of flats from Carl, and why did he have to know her? And of course – if you’re thinking of it – please don’t kill me off.

K: And with that we’re out of time. You can find John in Roger Lawrence’s Kongomato available at

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kongomato-ebook/dp/B008GMVZ08/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/276611

And a special thank you to Roger Lawrence for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

 https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

Hello! My name is Katelina, and welcome to Weekend Character Interviews. Using state of the art-mumbo-jumbo author magic, Jo has temporarily bent the laws of fictional space and time to allow various literary universes to converge long enough for me to ask different characters a few questions. Since I spend a lot of time in the Amaranthine series quizzing vampires on what they’re doing, where they’re going and why, Jo thought I would be the perfect interviewer.

Today we are interviewing Ker-ris from Barbara Tarn’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories Technological Angel and Mind Link. And can I just say he’s… um… nice looking. *cough* You’ll see.

K: Hello Ker-ris! Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Ker-ris: In Chantal’s words (you can read her journal in Technological Angel): Those Sire are real hunks! I mean, Ker-ris is gorgeous too! But he’s permanently dazed, as if he were on drugs. Except it’s not drugs, but a mind-controlling device the size of a grain of rice. Kol-ian told me it was injected in his brother-in-law’s veins on his wedding night. Talk about control freak! I mean, Lin-sun was beautiful, what was she afraid of? Jesus, I should stop drooling over handsome alien men! Now, that was the previous book, if you haven’t read it yet, go and get it now. I’ve been freed since, but according to both my late wife and my brother-in-law, I’m also the sexiest Sire alive, especially when I dance. Hope that will be enough for physical description! *grin*

K: Oh, yeah, I think that will do. *glances towards doorway in case Jorick is eavesdropping*. So, um, where are you from?

Ker-ris:  I’m stuck on Marc’harid (the Sire home planet) for the next 10 years, as I’ve been included in the Council of Five that took the place of the late Emperor. In Mind Link you’ll see me fall in love again, to the happiness of my son, the smartest boy in the universe.

K: In the first book you were minor character, right? How did you go from that to stardom?

Ker-ris: Yes I was a very secondary character in the original story. But being what I am and having finally a face in the Author’s mind (she has watched waaay too many Bollywood movies in the past couple of years!), I’m growing in importance as a character. Even my son is getting more room because he’s so smart! We’re stealing the spotlight from Kol-ian and his crew! *grin* She likes to blame me for her procrastination on other works (such as the Chronicles of the Varian Empire – the last book was late because she was listening to us. And actually, one hasn’t been written at all, haha!)… So I’ll keep pestering the Sadist Author until she writes also the story of my marriage (a very sad story, but you do like to cry, don’t you?)!

K: Well, sometimes I do. How would you say you evolve during the course of the series, besides gaining the spotlight?

Ker-ris: I first show up dazed, but now I’m back in control of my own mind and life. I’m a Sire aristocrat with a very special gift, which means I naturally do something that hasn’t been done in half a century – and only in my family, as the last to perform it was my aunt Lisa-mae. The mind link is wonderful, but can be deadly. Still, I think it’s something worth dying for.

K:  Do you have an enemy or nemesis? If so, who are they and how did they become an enemy?

photo by jram23 via flickr

Ker-ris: Not me, not really. It’s my wicked brother-in-law who has many. And as we happen to be very very very fond of each other, the fallback is on me. Okay, we’re in love. There, I said it. So it’s his enemy that comes after us in this book.

K: So you’re in love with your brother-in-law? I guess that answers whether you’re romantically involved or not!

Ker-ris: Yes, with my wicked brother-in-law. I guess I was meant to spend my life with that branch of the Vaurabi… I loved his sister because she was the most beautiful Sire alive. I love him because… I don’t know. He’s five years younger than me and he did things for all of us I can only dream of. He’s both strong and fragile and… well, the mind link did the rest!

K: Do you face a challenge making those around you accept it, or is there a bigger challenge?

Ker-ris: Not at all, the challenge is the mind link. Kol-ian is so traumatized, he almost kills us both.

K: What is the one event that you feel has helped to shape your personality?

Ker-ris: The mind link. Can you tell it’s something very important in a telepath’s life? *wink*

K: What is the one thing you want the most in the whole world?

Ker-ris: Leave in peace with Kol-ian and Shan-leo (my son). Not going to happen yet, I’m afraid.

K: Authors never let characters have peace! If you could say one thing to your readers, what would it be?

by sezzles via flickr

Ker-ris: I’m easy-going and Mansion Shermac is very big, so if you happen to catch a starship that takes you to Marc’harid, feel free to come and visit. You’ll meet Shan-leo, Kol-ian and also his crew. And you can see the Falstelo (originally belonging to my family, but now it’s under Kol-ian’s name – he renounced his birthright, so I gave him a couple of gifts).

K: I just might do that if I ever escape the clutches of my evil author. Speaking of them, if you could say one thing to your author, what would it be?

Ker-ris: Stop torturing me and Kol-ian, please! I know you’ve got more for us! Have mercy! Kol-ian is right, you’re the true Master Sadist!

And with that we’re out of time! You can find Ker-ris in Barbara Tarn’s Sci-fi/Fantasy Mind Link at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQMSFBS

 & Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/267058

Also stay tuned for book 3 – The Slave Trader, or maybe some Star Minds snippets on Barb’s blog that will give you insight into the characters past.

And a special thank you to Barbara Tarn for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/

Hello! My name is Katelina, and welcome to Weekend Character Interviews. Using state of the art-mumbo-jumbo author magic, Jo has temporarily bent the laws of fictional space and time to allow various literary universes to converge long enough for me to ask different characters a few questions. Since I spend a lot of time in the Amaranthine series quizzing vampires on what they’re doing, where they’re going and why, Jo thought I would be the perfect interviewer.

Today we are interviewing Kol-ian from Barbara Tarn’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories Technological Angel and Mind Link..

Katelina: Tell me a little about yourself.

Kol-ian: Hello, my name is Cole – well, that’s what I’d say if we met somewhere on your planet, actually. If we got to chat a little, you’d probably manage to find out my real name is Kol-ian and that I’m a Sire – or alien Humanoid. I’m a telepath. I reached your planet in 1933 and left in 1982. I’m currently orbiting around Earth and hacked through your internet to chat with you. My main physical feature is black bat-like retractile wings, hence the definition of Technological Angel. That’s me and the title of the book, the first of the Star Minds series by Barbara G.Tarn out at the beginning of December in e-book format – for the print version please be patient until the new year.

K: Did you enjoy your stay on Earth? How well do you get along with Earthlings?

Kol-ian: Yeah, I love Earth’s music. Do I get along with Earthlings? We’re very much alike. I blended in perfectly during my stay. Although I have “something” that makes me irresistible to you all – but don’t tell Daniele, he still thinks he’s Casanova, so he’d never admit he likes me!

K: Why did you come to earth?

Kol-ian: A broken heart. I had a crush on a winged being you’d call angel (he has white feathered wings, but he’s probably a little too dark-skinned for your Christian god) but is actually an alien hybrid (half Humanoid and half Carian – they’re the bird people, FYI). He’s gorgeous, but also heartless. But they tell me I’m heartless too, so I guess I deserve him…

K: So you’re not in a relationship, then?

Kol-ian: Not in this book. Okay, sort of. Before leaving Earth I met Chantal in Paris, France and she asked me to take her to the stars, which I did. She loves me, but I can’t say I love her. Hence they tell me I’m heartless. I’m not. I’m still recovering from my unrequited crush for the hybrid, that’s all.

K: Do you have an enemy or nemesis?

Not quite Kol-ian but hot just the same – by me 😉

Kol-ian: In Earth years I was 20-25 when I lived on Earth, and my nemesis was my father, no, actually, my whole family, damn them! Heartless control freaks all of them!

K: So is your biggest challenge dealing with your family, or something else?

Kol-ian: It’s to try getting rid of invulnerable people – or better, people with genetically reinforced skin. You might end up chased all over the galaxy and killed by a bounty hunter like my sister’s father-in-law!

K: Wow, that sounds pretty dramatic. Are those events that helped shape your personality, or is there something bigger?

Kol-ian: That would be a big spoiler… When I left your planet, I wasn’t really thinking about revenge or anything, but then that happened and sent me on the warpath… I couldn’t forgive, no way!

K: What is the one thing you want the most in the whole world?

Kol-ian: I don’t know. At the moment I’m simply grateful they didn’t lock me in a prison forever. And I’m kind of sick of seeing people falling in love around me.

K: Well, maybe if you weren’t heartless *cough* no, no I didn’t say anything. Um.. where am I? oh, yes, if you could say one thing to your readers, what would it be?

Kol-ian: Please come and meet my crew! I stole an abandoned starship back in 1982, had a complete makeover done and called it Falstelo, which means Shooting Star. I have “hired” (we work together and I don’t really pay them, we earn our living as adventurers and rogues) a female cyborg, a mutant, two Earthlings (Chantal and the very Italian latin lover Daniele – actually, he’s a sci-fi geek, LOL) and more came on board later, so come over and visit. Of course you’d need a space shuttle, try asking the guys at www.citizensinspace.org, they look for volunteers for orbital flights – that’s all you need for now! But hurry, as we’re supposed to go back to Marc’harid (my home planet) soon…

K: Are they in the next book, Mind Link, too?

Kol-ian: Yes. If you enjoy Technological Angel, stay tuned. Star Minds is a series, so you will have more. We’ve been tormenting our Author to write it down for a few months now (hence her fantasy world suffers, mwhahahaha! We stole all her free time!). I mean, she already wrote a couple of versions in the past (in Italian), but she’s finally fine-tuning our adventures and finding more to say about us – better late than never.

In fact she might copy your author at some point, and add short stories about secondary characters when the main storyline is done. I’ll let my future lover answer these same questions and tell you more about the rest when book 2 comes out (just before Christmas, so not a very long wait)!

K: and speaking of authors, do you have anything to say to yours?

by Raven Vasquez via Flickr

Kol-ian: I know what you plan for me and my soon to be lover and I hate it! You’re the true Master Sadist, you wicked Author!

And with that we’re out of time! You can find Kol-ian in Barbara Tarn’s upcoming Sci-fi/Fantasy Mind Link as well as Technological Angel available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Technological-Angel-Star-Minds-ebook/dp/B00AGHJO0O/

 & Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260657

Also stay tuned for book 3 – The Slave Trader, or maybe some Star Minds snippets on barb’s blog that will give you insight into the characters past.

And a special thank you to Barbara Tarn for playing along!

If you’re an author and would like your character(s) to be interviewed by me, then check out this very cool page that has all the details:

https://joleenenaylor.wordpress.com/character-interviews/