Interview with SCARLETT NIGHT from COURT OF NIGHTFALL (Plus PRIZES!! Who Doesn't Love Prizes?)1/26/2015
I’m the first to admit that I’m a horrible apocalypse survivor, and that I probably should not be left on my own because, as it has been pointed out by my “good friend” Cole, I don’t have a lot of skills. You, on the other hand, seemed to be blessed with many talents. Whereas I am more like a rolly-polly bug, you are a blooming butterfly. (Like my analogy there?). Who do you tribute your strength to? Did you always grow up with confidence or was it something you learned to embrace because you had to?
I learned a lot from both of my parents, who were pretty determined to teach me EVERYTHING. So, from my mom I learned computer and hacking skills. Most useful. From my dad I learned strategy and planning. I didn't learn a lot of physical combat, which would have been nice to have on hand, but I did get a pretty good skill set to keep me from dying. Oh, and I learned to fly an airplane from my dad, obviously. It is our shared love above all else. It's what I miss the most. Flying with him. As far as my confidence goes, I guess it came with learning how to do what I do, you know? All the drills and training growing up kind of required that I be bold and confident and make decisions in critical moments. Would I have this confidence without that training? I'm not sure. I guess I'll never know.
I think one of the things that make us similar and sets us apart from other teenage girls our age is the fact that we actually liked and got along with our parents. I’m sure you’ve had your ups and your downs with your folks just like I have (who kid hasn’t?), but I’m really impressed, if not a little envious, of the kind of relationship you had with your mom and dad. I would love to hear more about them and how they raised you to be as confident as you are. Here’s your time to pay tribute to them. Only if you feel up to it, of course.
I was always closer to my dad. I think because of our shared love of flying. My mom and I were sometimes too much alike and rubbed each other the wrong way, but I still love her, of course. And she taught me so much about computers and hacking (and how not to get caught) that it brought us closer. My house was always a place of learning. My parents always pushed themselves to be better at whatever they did, and that rubbed off on me. Because I was homeschooled my whole life, I never really spent time around other kids, other than Jax, so I never really had anything to compare my life to. It seemed normal enough to me, though the internet and television proved me wrong on that. We read a lot, played chess on rainy nights by the fire, baked cookies, did normal family stuff. (That part is kind of normal, right? If you take out the random emergency drills in the middle of cookie baking?) I knew through it all my parents loved me. It's helped, in the wake of everything, as lies are exposed and truth still eludes me, I hold on to that knowledge. Whatever else, they loved me. I can't let go of that. I think in both of our circumstances, one terrible horrific night forced us to change and become someone we never imagined we could become. Where my change was subtle and took time, yours what quite the metamorphosis. What was your first clue that something about yourself was different? Were you scared at all by it? How have you embraced these changes? I knew when I woke up surrounded by my own blood that something was different. I should have died. I shouldn't have still been alive. And when I grabbed that soldier and made him do those things, just with my mind? It freaked me out. I didn't have time to really think it through in that moment. Too much happened. I'd lost too much and was going numb from the grief. But now that things are settling down, I can look back and see those moments more clearly. It built from there. When I realized the full truth of what I'd become, I felt a mix of awe and fear and panic and… okay, I have to be honest here, some excitement. It's not all bad, even if I'd been raised to believe it was. At the core, though, I've been raised to roll with the punches. To have a mind like water, not concrete. I think that's made it easier for me to embrace the changes, because all of my training has been about embracing the changes and working with what is real and not trying to work from a reality I just wished existed. But is there still some fear and panic? Yes. Most definitely yes.
You obviously have a lot of feelings for Jax, and he is the only person left from your “previous” life, so why not tell him about the changes you have faced? Why not confide in him? What’s keeping you from holding back? It's complicated. Like, REALLY complicated. There was a time I thought I would never keep a secret from Jax. But I also thought he would never keep a secret from me. Turns out you never really know who someone is, even if you've grown up with them your whole life. He kept so much from me, and even now, I know he's holding back. I don't know why. Maybe it's habit. Maybe it's required because of his ranking in the Teutonic Knights. Maybe he thinks he's still protecting me. Whatever it is, my gut instinct is to keep some things hidden from him. I have to protect myself. I'm all I have left. So what did you know before that night your parents were attacked and your life was torn apart? Did you know some of the history beforehand, or was it all a shock to you? How were you able to take in all the changes and all the “newness” that you were suddenly thrown into? I knew that there was once a Nephilim War and they were wiped out. I'd seen videos and heard talk. I knew that Angels were considered myth by some, sacred by others. I of course knew about the Four Orders. Everyone does, though they are so shrouded in mystery that few know what exactly they do or what secrets they hold. But they are the elite, the highest of the high in politics, military and religion. But I knew of these things the way you 'know' what's happening in another country, you know? It's there in your mind as a thing, but it doesn't truly impact your daily life in any concrete way. So finding out my parents were part of the Knights Templar and that I'd been born into this crazy world of mystery and politics was definitely a shock. But finding out the Nephilim were still alive. That nearly killed me. And how about your grandpa? What do you think of him and his sudden appearance in your life? He seems very wise and as though he does love you, but are you being cautious or is he someone you feel you can trust? Right now, I can't trust anyone but myself. I love that I still have blood family here. But I don't know what his motivations are, or why he wants me at Castle V. Until I understand more, I'm being cautious with everyone. In this new world of yours and with all the changes and with everything you’re facing as you’re trying to find your place in it, how do you know you can trust someone? It seems like there is an awful lot of corruption and old school ideas taking place that I would be a bit nervous to take anyone at their word. Are you nervous at all? Very nervous. As I said before, I don't trust anyone right now. I've never lived like this, constantly holding my secrets close to me, questioning the motivates of everyone around me, but I know I have to now if I want to survive. My parents taught me well, even if it all seemed like a game at the time. They taught me to trust my gut, to do what it takes to survive, and to use my head. I won't forget their lessons. When my mother was killed, I know it was hard for me to have faith in anything. I really struggled with her death and I know both my dad and brother did too. I at least had time to process it. You have not, not really. It was as if you were thrown into the deep side of the pool, so you weren’t hardly given time to grieve. What is it that keeps you from losing it and giving in to the pain of such a loss? Survival. I know that my parents both died to save me, and I won't let that sacrifice be in vain. I almost gave in to the despair that night, but then it would have all been for nothing and I can't do that to their memory. So I have to be strong. I have to hold on. I have to do what it takes to find out the truth and avenge them. Until then, I don't have time to grieve. I know your story is just beginning, and I’m excited to see what kind of butt-kicking you are going to do next. So what kinds of things should I be expecting from you? What’s your next move? I'm kind of winging it. But basically, I need to infiltrate the Four Orders and find out the truth about my parents. I guess that means I'm going to school at Castle V. I also need to get the rebels organized and figure out what our objectives are. That means working with Zorin. I have to admit that isn't all bad. I don't trust him, but I'm learning a lot from him about my new powers. And above all, I have to keep my true identity a secret from everyone if I want to survive. And lastly, when are you and Jax going to kiss? Do tell! Ha! I wish I knew. I have a feeling he might not even be my first kiss at this point. Isn't it crazy after all I've done and been through, that I haven't even kissed a boy? My life is nuts.
Sound intriguing? Then nab your copy of COURT OF NIGHTFALL everywhere books are sold online. (You can also click the link HERE).
Now for some PRIZES!! Super easy to enter. Epic prizes.
2 Comments
Yikers! If that ain't an attention-grabbing book blurb, then I don't know what is. Then, to top off the blurb, take a look at that cover. Isn't it just gorgeous? There is a beautiful darkness to this cover which fits this story perfectly, and believe me, the story is just as fantastic as the cover leads you to believe.
Court of Nightfall is Book One in a new series by the fabulous writing husband/wife duo Karpov Kinrade. Ever since I read the The Hunger Games series years ago, I have been fascinated with stories with strong female main characters, and this just so happens to be that kind of book. For the most part, SCI-FI dystopian novels tend to be dominated by male leads, so find a story that embraces female strength AND gives us that dystopian feel we crave is a treasure. . To begin, the story is told in first person from Scarlett Night's point of view. Ever since she was young, she has dreamed of becoming a pilot, much like her father, but being born colorblind makes this dream of hers nearly an impossibility. Still, she is determined not to let that stop her. But in what is supposed to be a day of celebration--passing the flight test--turns into tragedy and her world is turned upside down. Everything she believed or knew to be true, becomes shattered and rearranged, and it is during this time that Scarlett goes from seeing the world in shades of grey to seeing it as it is meant to be. Only, something more than her reality and vision has changed--SHE has changed. As pieces of who she is falls becomes clear, she also realizes just how dangerous a secret she keeps. No one can know. This secret is big. This secret can change everything. This secret is dangerous. This secret is freakin' amazing! Without spilling spoilers all over the place (which I hate about reviews), let's just imagine, if you will, a future where people with paranormal abilities are ridiculed for being different. Killed even. Envision Angels. Imagine vampire-like creatures. Imagine a world with advanced technology. Imagine an entity that controls everything and rules over everyone. Imagine not knowing which side is good and which side evil. Imagine not knowing who your friends are and who are not. Imagine meeting a grandfather you never knew existed for the very first time. This is what Scarlett faces all while trying to figure her place amid it all. The world building is incredible and it always amazes me when someone can create a world so completely different than the one I know and live in. My brain just doesn't work that way, and it impresses me every time. Scarlett is a strong character who will empathize with from page one, and the secondary characters are incredibly well-written. I can picture distinct characters and each has their own voice--not always an easy task. There is a lot more to this story than book one can possibly cover, and I am intrigued to see where it will go, but even though this is book one in a series, don't let that turn you away. Book one can stand on it's own, though you will finish reading it wanting to know more. I can' see how you wouldn't. If you at all enjoyed The Hunger Games, then I highly suggest giving this book a read. There are a lot of similarities between Scarlett and Katniss, and THAT is a good thing. One of the Facebook fiction writers groups that I'm a member of, posed the question, "Those of you who check frequently for new reviews wherever they may be posted, what is the reward in it? What's in it for you? If it causes anxiety or grief, or if it makes you soar with delight, feel giddy even, is the time invested fretting or delighting over reviews truly worth time spent away from more writing?"
That really got me thinking. Really. Thinking. Because at the time this question was posted (I'm going to be painfully honest here) I was probably checking Amazon for reviews on my new release at the rate of several dozen times per day. Yes, per day. And thirty times (at least) sounds about right. Sick. Wrong. Obsessive. Yeah, all of those. |
My Face...Enjoy!
Ahh, the fruits of my labors...
Blogs & Websites You Should Visit
Click for more info about Mallory Rock, Cover Designer
Click for more info about Megan Harris, Editor
Blog AwardsCategories
All
FUN STUFF  
 
 |
