Truly author Becky Flade had me at Aidan and Maggie. Two of my favorite names paired together, who could ask for more? And then, she allowed me to interview them...
So Aidan, tell me about yourself. For instance, what is your occupation, and why? What are your strengths & weaknesses?
So Aidan, tell me about yourself. For instance, what is your occupation, and why? What are your strengths & weaknesses?
Hello. My name is Aidan Gael. I’m independently wealthy due
to a large family inheritance and I keep that income stream steady with stock
ventures and savvy investments. But I consider my occupation to be a horse
rancher, that’s what I “do.” I’m not comfortable discussing my strengths and
weaknesses. Matter of fact, I’m not comfortable discussing the answers to most
of your questions. I am a very private person.
Well I appreciate that you are stepping out of your comfort zone to spend some time with us today. Would it be safe to ask how you two met? What was your first impression of Maggie?
Well I appreciate that you are stepping out of your comfort zone to spend some time with us today. Would it be safe to ask how you two met? What was your first impression of Maggie?
Maggie and I first met, officially, when she came past my
ranch to go for a horseback ride. I wasn’t aware that Sly, my ranch hand, had
invited her and I was deliberately rude. She held her own and I was intrigued
with and attracted to her, despite myself.
What is it that you want out of life?
Before Maggie barged into my life all I wanted was to be left alone with my horses and my secrets. But now, all I want is Maggie.
You've done a great job answering the hard questions, so I'll give you a break and ask you a few fun ones. If you owned a CB radio what would your "handle" be? What would Maggie's be?
I guess mine would have to be “Asshole” and Maggie’s would be “Rockstar.”
*Clears throat.* I see. Well what CD is in your CD player right now?
Assuming Maggie hasn’t gotten to it? Willie Nelson’s
Greatest Hits.
Thank you, Aidan. Now we'll find out a little bit more about Maggie. Maggie you get to start off with the same question. First, tell me about yourself. What is
your occupation, etc? Then, your strengths, weaknesses.
Hi, I’m Maggie O’Connell, wow, occupation okay, investigative reporter turned tabloid journalist turned aspiring novelist. I’m naturally curious and I tend towards stubborn when I get my teeth into something, that’s probably both strength and weakness. I’m fiercely independent but that’s more from upbringing than design. I try to be honest and fair with others and I expect to be treated the same in return. I love music, books, and animals.
Okay. What’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now?
My family is complicated. My father died when I was young. My mother and I are not close; she isn’t what one would call, maternal. And my stepfather is a jerk. But I was blessed. My former nanny, Mrs. O’Connell, I took her name after my mother remarried, and my best friend’s family stepped in and filled the void left by my mother’s lack of affection. They loved me. They kissed my scraped knees and tanned my butt, when needed it.
I expect that has a lot to do with the woman I am today.
If you could pick a tangible object to symbolize you, what would it be?
I don’t know that it symbolizes me, really, but I have this carving of a wolf that an Indian woman gave to me in the mall in Brandwyne the day I went shopping for my first date with Aidan. It was beautiful but way out of my price range. The shop owner followed me out of her store and gave it to me anyway. The whole exchange was pretty crazy, but that carving? I can’t really explain why, it’s precious to me.
Is there anything about Aidan that you would consider a flaw?
Other than his awful taste in music? I’m joking. Aidan is incredibly guarded. He’s afraid to trust; and not just others, he’s doesn’t even believe in himself. He needs faith.
And finally, what CD is in your CD player right now?
Interesting! Well thanks with sharing with us today. And now I'd like to tell folks a little more about your story.
Blurb:
Investigative journalist Maggie O’Connell
went from hard hitting exposés to alien abductions in the
Excerpt:
She watched as the wolf sauntered closer. She followed him
with her eyes as he passed by. He really was insanely large. She guessed him at
nearly four feet tall and probably near six feet in length. His pelt was
beautiful, thick and gray with the occasional fleck of black and silver. The
urge to reach out and run her fingers through his pelt was intense, but Maggie
thought it would be rude, so she simply watched in awe as he settled down about
a yard in front of her. Laying his massive head on his paws he cocked his head
to the side and watched her.
“Would
you have known I’d been to your little clearing if I hadn’t left the chew toy?
Wolves have very sharp hearing and sense of scent; you would’ve been able to
smell that I’d been there, right? You’ve been watching over me, haven’t you?
That’s really sweet but very human behavior.” The wolf snorted. “Did you think
that was funny, offensive, or did you simply get some pollen up your nose?
“This
is bizarre; I’m interviewing a freaking wolf, like you can answer my questions.
What are you going to do, stomp your foot four times?” This time she saw the
humor in the eyes and heard the chuckle. “So you were laughing at me the other
night.
“I’m
assuming of course that you can understand everything I’m saying to you. Maybe
I’ve finally lost what little sense God gave me. Or, I could be sleeping. That
is very possible. I tend to have very vivid dreams. Of course, if I were
dreaming, you’d probably be answering me with a vague Australian accent not
unlike Hugh Jackman’s.
“Well,
dream or not, I guess I should introduce myself. The name is Maggie, and if
it’s not too much trouble could I feel your fur? I mean, not like pet you.
You’re far too beautiful and free to be treated like a pet; you were very
National Geographic the other night. But your pelt just looks so soft…” Maggie
trailed off, rather embarrassed by her rambling to a creature that wasn’t
likely to understand a word she was saying. She started puttering around her
small camp and was looking down at her hands trying to figure out why she felt
embarrassed when his muzzle bumped her under her elbow.
Despite
his size he had moved silently across the forest floor; she’d not even realized
he’d stood let alone crossed the few feet between them. But here he was, those
startling green eyes only inches away, inviting her to touch him. Maggie ran
her hand along his side and felt the muscles corded underneath the silky fur.
“Wow,” she said as she threaded her fingers through the strands. She’d repeated
the motion several times when she heard a low rumble in the wolf’s throat. The
closest comparison Maggie could make was a cat purr. “You like that?” In
answer, the wolf licked her cheek with his dry, raspy tongue. Maggie laughed.
“Who said I kiss on the first date?”
Bio:
When I was little I thought everyone had stories in their
head. I didn’t find out that wasn’t the case until kindergarten. I remember
thinking that was sad; and that I should share the ones I had. I asked my
teacher for help. I had her cut, fold and staple the paper into a suspiciously
book-like shape. Then I drew the cover art and illustrated the interior pages.
Finally, and most importantly, I dictated the text. And violà … a writer was
born.
It took thirty years for me to get from that first attempt
to being a published author. I think the road thus far has added some depth and
experience to my writing. At the very least I learned I shouldn’t ever do my
own illustrations.
A city girl, born and bred, I tend to place my stories in
and around southeast Pennsylvania, or at least have a character or two from the
area. Home is where the heart is and I make mine with my very own knight in
slightly tarnished armor, three beautiful daughters ranging in ages from
college through pre-school, and a grandson who arrived on my birthday last
year. When I’m not busy living my own happily ever after, I’m writing about
someone else’s.
I’d love to have you visit with me on my blog; at Facebook and
Twitter; on my Goodreads and Amazon author page; or write to me directly at beckyfladeauthor@gmail.com.
CONTACT INFO
And to purchase FATED SOULS:
Amazon - http://amzn.com/B00C9KNYWK
Good morning, Becky, Aidan, and Maggie, and welcome!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I love it when we get glimpses into characters. And fun snippet, too. I wish you the best of luck with Fated Souls!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in, Terri, and sharing your thoughts. Looking forward to reading your new release, too--COVET!
DeleteThanks for having us M.J.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri!
ReplyDeleteLoved readinng this thank you
ReplyDelete