Category Archives: Izzy’s Interviews

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Character Dage Kayrs…Take 2

on January 26, 2012

 

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of the Kayrs brothers.  MEOW.

So, I tried interviewing the king once before, and his brothers showed up to cause havoc.  Talen is particularly tiresome when it comes to interviews…who knows why.  But Dage agreed to meet me again and this time we met at a very quaint coffee shop that’s off the grid.  The coffee is spectacular and there’s free WiFi, so even if our meeting got cut short, I was happy.  For those of you who haven’t met Dage yet, he’s about six and a half feet tall, packed hard, with black hair and incredible silver eyes.  Frankly, it shows he trusts us that he’s not hiding the odd color.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

ME:  So.  Thank you for trying this again.  I’m sorry about last time.

DAGE:  That certainly wasn’t your fault.  Sometimes my brothers are a handful.

If that wasn’t the understatement of the millennium, I don’t know what was.  But I nodded and gave him my most professional smile.  He smiled back…not fooled a bit.

ME:  So, I wanted to talk to you about Max’s mission – I believe he left the other day.

DAGE:  Interesting.  Why do you believe that?

Okay.  Vampires can be kind of scary and this one scarier than most.  Even though his tone stayed calm and no expression crossed his face, an odd tension made the air around us kind of heavy.  The king probably didn’t like his information getting out.

ME:  My sources are pretty good.  And this interview won’t run until Max has finished his mission (but about a month before TEMPTED, Max’s story, comes out—don’t tell the king), so there’s no reason not to talk about it.

DAGE:  Hmmm.  Okay.  We’ll discuss Max and then we’ll discuss your sources in my organization.  Basically, there’s a woman named Sarah Pringle who has created a blog and website about the Kurjans.  They’re after her, and we need to get to her before they do. 

(The Kurjans are the bad guys–pasty faced bad vampires afraid of the sun.  Unlike the good vampires).

ME:  You’re going to let her keep the website up?

DAGE:  No.  Jase already took it down and posted information about her writing a good book.  The website has been taken care of.  Now we just need to get her records from the insane asylum because I’m sure she told them all about the Kurjans.  We can’t have that information out there.

A bit of concern had me sitting back in my chair.  What exactly were the vampires going to do to poor possibly-crazy Sarah Pringle?

ME:  I find it odd you sent Max.  I mean, he’s Janie’s bodyguard now.  What did he used to be?

DAGE:  Max has always been part of the family…serving as my bodyguard as well as one of my best hunters.  The guy is a Russian bloodhound when it comes to hunting.

ME:  Ah…okay.

To be honest, I’ve met Max.  The guy isn’t just a hunter. 

ME:  But why Max?  Many of your people are scouts, including Conn.  Why send Max?

DAGE:  Let’s just say I think Max is the right guy for the job.

A really cute twinkle entered the king’s eye at this point and for a second, I could just stare.  Then I shook it off and got back to business, reminding myself that I was a professional and the guy had a mate.  I mean, really.

ME:  Are you matchmaking, king?

DAGE:  I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.

At this point, a barista sauntered up to give the king a free muffin.  I mean, seriously.  It’s a coffee shop.  You order at the counter and take your own food to your table.  Okay, I’m not just irritated that she didn’t bring me a muffin.  I’m irritated on Emma’s behalf.  Dage politely thanked the woman, keeping his attention on me.  She returned to the counter, her butt swaying the whole time.

ME:  I bet that happens a lot to you.

DAGE:  What happens to me?

Man, guys are clueless.  Even immortal deadly ones.

ME:  Forget it.  So, I have to know, does Max get a happy ending?

The peace was too good to last.  I should’ve started with the main question.  Guess who showed up?  NOPE!  It wasn’t Talen.  Jase, the youngest brother, hustled inside, his brown hair ruffled and eyes flashing.

DAGE:  What’s happened?

JASE:  Something’s going on with the witches…Conn is leaving now.  We have to go.

Darn it.  My source in the Realm hadn’t reported anything about the witches.  I mean, we all knew Conn was heading to Ireland to collect his witch soon (and I fully expect she’s not going to allow any sort of collection), but I hadn’t known it would be this quickly.

DAGE:  Izzy, I appreciate your time, but I need to get going.

The darn barista, who had somehow lost a couple buttons on her shirt, hustled over, her gaze on Jase.  So, yeah.  The guy is seriously hot.  But I mean, come on.

ME:  I’d like to talk about Conn and his mission to Ireland.

Dage flashed a smile as he stood to join Jase. 

DAGE:  I’ll arrange for an interview with Conn when he gets back.  You’ll enjoy meeting him.  And we’ll discuss your sources in the Realm next time.

Okay, it was kind of a threat.  Then, well…the coffee chick made a move.  Not a kill ya type of move.  But an almost genuine trip to basically land in Jase’s arms.  They got all tangled up, and he ended up just picking her up.  The woman beamed.  Then she pouted really pretty when he put her down with a smile and whispered something in her ear.  The Kayrs men left.  I took a look at the flushed waitress.

ME:  What did he say?

NEARLY TOPLESS WAITRESS:  He said he’d be back next week

Excellent.  So will I.  🙂

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Character Dage Kayrs

on August 16, 2011

 

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of the Kayrs brothers.  MEOW.

So, I’ve been wanted to interview Dage for some time.  I mean, the king of the most powerful race on earth is hard to find.  He finally agreed to meet me at a quaint Italian restaurant in the middle of my hometown.  In case you haven’t met Dage yet, he’s about six and a half feet with long dark hair and very cool silver eyes.  The guy moves like a jaguar, smooth and strong.  It was truly a pleasure to watch him stalk across the restaurant.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

ME:  So.  You’re the king of the Realm.

DAGE:  Yes. I took over for my father about three hundred years ago.

ME:  When the Kurjans (evil vampire race afraid of the sun) killed them.

DAGE:  Yes.  I was twenty-five, and the first thing I did was surround myself with strong leaders.

ME: You mean, your brothers?

DAGE: Yes.

At this point, a shadow crossed the king’s features.  I leaned forward, putting on my best ‘what?’  look.

DAGE:  They were young.  Maybe too young.  At least, Jase was.  But…we needed to stick together, and I wanted people around me I could trust.

Me:  So.  You won the last war…there was peace, and now the Kurjans have declared war again by creating a virus that attacks your mates.  Speaking of which, you finally found your mate.

At this point, Dage almost smiled. 

DAGE:  Yes.  I’ve been dreaming her face for centuries, and when I found her, the world finally made sense.

ME:  What one word would you use to describe her?

DAGE:  Absolutely brilliant.  He grinned.  I guess that was two words.  She’s incredibly smart and I have no doubt she’ll cure the virus.  Someday.

ME:  So, ah, there’s a scene in your book involving, well, a belt.  Rumor has it Rebecca’s editor thought about pulling her back, but left it in because, hey, it works.

DAGE:  I have no idea what you’re talking about.

He reached for his cell phone and typed something in.  I raised an eyebrow and cleared my throat.

ME: It’s too late for that scene to be deleted from the book.

DAGE:  We’ll see about that.  Some things should be private.

Even though his voice was low and calm, there was a threat there that heated the oxygen around us.  I struggled to figure out another question. 

ME:  In FATED, your sister-in-law became pregnant.  Since I haven’t been able to read all of CLAIMED, I was wondering if she has the baby in that book.

DAGE:  No.  In fact, Cara gets infected with the virus, and, well, things get tense.  But, Emma is on it.  She’ll find a way to save the baby.

A commotion sounded by the door.  I blinked twice, knowing I shouldn’t turn around.  I did anyway. My heart sank as the Kayrs brother responsible for getting me banned from my favorite coffee shop stomped across the room.  Talen.  He glared at his brother.

TALEN:  What the hell are you doing in a restaurant when people want you dead?

DAGE:  You’re here.  And right now, I pretty much want you dead.

More commotion at the door.  Brothers Conn and Jase stalked toward us, leaving female sighs in their wake.

DAGE:  You have got to be kidding me.  I’m the damn king.

Then, well…no Kurjans or evil shifters came after us.  You think this would be a good thing.  But Dage refused to leave, and Talen tried to make him.  Jase attempted to intervene, which got Conn involved, and all hell broke loose.  So, now I can’t go to my favorite Italian restaurant.  I’m running out of places to eat.

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Character Cara Kayrs

on June 3, 2011

 

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of the Kayrs brothers.  MEOW.

So, I had so much fun interviewing Talen last week, I thought I’d try to get Cara to sit down with me.  Cara is a plant biologist, single mother, and wife of vampire Talen.  We met at a new coffee shop in town…as I’ve been banned from the one where I met Talen.  TOTALLY his fault.  Cara was five minutes early, and is quite pretty.  For some reason, I expected her to be scientifically nerdy, but she has curly brown hair and huge blue eyes.

ME:  So.  Congratulations on your recent marriage.

CARA:  Thank you.  It was quite the whirlwind…but I think things have calmed down a bit.  I mean, we’re still searching for a cure to the virus that attacks vampire mates, and I’m still sick…but the treatments are going well so far.

Okay.  I was happy to have an interviewee who actually talks.  Talen was difficult, to say the least.

ME:  I interviewed your husband a week ago—

CARA:  Yeah, sorry about that.  I heard Talen attacked some guy going for a cell phone.  (She snorted.)  Being the head of Realm security makes him twitchy, to say the least.

ME:  I was a bit surprised you agreed to meet for an interview. 

Okay…I was surprised Talen agreed.  But there didn’t seem to be a smooth way to say that.  Well, until Cara threw back her head and laughed.

Cara:  I didn’t tell Talen I was coming.

Oh crap.  Something told me to get a move on there.

ME:  I’d like to discuss the virus created by Kurjans to attack vampire mates and bring them back to human genetics.

Cara:  Yes, it’s quite interesting, genetically speaking.  What the virus does is—

At this point, the door slammed open.  I knew.  I knew without turning around who stood in the doorway.  But you know what I did anyway?  Yep.  I turned my head.  In fact, the entire coffee shop turned in unison to see a six and a half feet, packed hard, pissed-off vampire staring at Cara with golden eyes shot through with metallic green.

ME:  Ug.

A portly gentleman near the doorway dropped his coffee, splashing up his khaki pants.  He shoved his glasses up his nose, backing carefully away.  For the first time I noticed two hulking men on either side of the door.  Vampires?  Ah.  Cara had brought some protection.  Smart woman.

Cara:  Well, isn’t this sweet.  Talen showed up for the interview.

Holy freaking crap.  Sweet???  My heart pretty much stopped beating as he stalked toward us and stopped next to Cara.

Talen:  Hello, mate.  Forget to tell me something?

I should mention here that Cara rolled her eyes. 

Cara:  Now Talen, come on.  Didn’t you read that goodreads review of FATED by that twenty-year old living across the world?  She was quite upset you don’t use my name more…that you call me ‘mate’.   Like you can’t remember my name.

Talen:  I don’t give a holy fu—, er heck, what that woman thinks, mate.  For the record, not only do I know your name, I usually know exactly where you are.  Unlike today.

Cara:  I brought backup.  Your brother, Jase, is by the door.

We all looked.  Jase is hot.  I know, how unprofessional.  But hey, he’s seriously hot—thick brown hair, copper colored eyes—body tight and ripped.  And when Talen sent him a deadly look, I swear Jase flipped him the bird.  It was vampire quick, but I caught it. 

Then things got interesting.  Talen sighed and dropped into the chair next to Cara, his hand reaching for hers.  No wonder Cara wasn’t afraid of the soldier.  He was kinda…sweet.

TALEN:  Okay – let’s get this over with so I can beat the crap out of my younger brother.

CARA:  Leave Jase alone.  He’s going off by himself to fight the demons soon…and something tells me things are going to get tough.  Really tough.

ME:  Uh, well…about Jase.  Does he have a mate?

TALEN:  No.

CARA:  Maybe.  Rebecca has someone in mind for him…I think the woman may make an appearance in HUNTED.  Well, if Rebecca’s critique partner, Sayde Grace, has her way.  Sayde is convinced this woman would be perfect for Jase.

Then, well…remember the guy with the spilled coffee?  Turned out he was a shifter…a bad one…and he made a move on Jase. Jase took him down rather easily, and the guy’s three companions jumped in.  As did Talen.

Tables went flying, coffee drenched the floor, and let’s just say that the windows shattered from bodies flying through.  There’s another darn coffee shop I won’t get to visit again.

Talk to you soon!

Izzy’s Insights – Interview with Character Talen Kayrs

on May 24, 2011

 

Sergej Khakimullin
Shutterstock

My name is Izzy and I interview book characters.  Many people say I’m a character, myself.  *Snort*.  That’s nice of them.  I’m hoping Rebecca lets me interview a bunch of her characters–I can’t wait to be in the same room with all of the Kayrs brothers.  MEOW.

So, I’ve been wanted to interview Talen for a while now…he’s kind of tough to reach.  He’s the hero in FATED and has a lot going on right now.  Yet, he finally agreed to meet with me.  We sat in a nice coffee shop and he more than dwarfed the iron backed chair he dropped in to.  For those of you who haven’t met him yet, he’s about six and a half feet tall, packed hard, with black hair and golden eyes.  Here’s the transcript of the interview, with a couple of my thoughts thrown in:

ME:  So.  Congratulations on your recent marriage.

TALEN:  Thank you.

ME:  How’s it going so far?

TALEN:  Fine.

Okay.  At this point, you’d think I’d be getting concerned about Talen opening up enough to get a full interview.  Not.  My concern was that he kept eyeing the door and a large guy next to it.  I hoped the vampire (yeah, Talen’s a vampire) never looked at me like that.

ME:  Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

TALEN:  Sure.  The king…ah…ordered me to agree.

Yeah.  Dage owed me one. 

ME:  So, let’s start with your job.  What do you do?

TALEN:  Whatever I need to do.

My sigh made him smile.  He cleared his throat. 

TALEN:  I’m the strategic leader for the Realm—meaning I plan our defense.  As well as our offense.  In fact, I’d prefer to strike first.

ME:  Which is why Dage sent you to rescue Cara and her daughter Janie from the evil Kurjans.  As a first strike.

TALEN:  Dage or fate—who knows.  But I ended up in the right place at the right time—to collect my mate.

ME:  Speaking of whom…you’ve faced from criticism regarding your, er, rather alpha tendencies.  With Cara, I mean.

TALEN:  I don’t know what you mean.

ME:  You’ve been accused of being over the top—too possessive, too demanding, too dominant.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. 

TALEN:  I’m a pushover when it comes to Cara.  I’d do anything for her.

ME:  Except let her go.

TALEN:  Go where?

I shook my head.  This was going nowhere.  Plus, the woman did choose of her own free will to stay with him.  Couldn’t blame her. 

ME:  How goes the fight against the Kurjans?

TALEN:  Well.  We’ve taken out several of their research facilities—where they have been creating the virus that takes our mates down to human form.  We also think the virus might turn a shifter into a werewolf, which is a pure killing machine.

Wow.  That was a lot of words for the vampire to say. 

ME:  Up until this point, werewolves have just been human converts?

TALEN:  Yes.  And they only live for about a year.  A shifter werewolf would be dangerous and live much longer.

ME:  So what’s your plan?

A deadly light entered his eyes. 

TALEN:  To end them.  For good.

Then, well…the guy at the door made a move.  Talen was on him before I could pause in writing.  He tackled the guy…who was just reaching for his cell phone.  Darn vampires…so edgy.  Anyway, that was the end of the interview.  Hope to see you again soon!