Valentine's Day Interview with the Characters from Caelihn!

Hello Readers!  I have been insanely busy this past week getting ready for the launch of Caelihn - A Novel of the Otherworld!  It will soon be available in ebook format from most places where ebooks are sold, and you can now order the paperback edition from Amazon.com.  In order to celebrate the next chapter in the Otherworld Series, and since it is almost February 14th, I sat down with the characters from Caelihn and asked them some questions about what they would like to do with their significant other for Valentine's Day.  Here are the questions and their answers.  I hope you enjoy and feel free to comment and ask your own questions as well!
-J.E. Johnson

Special Valentine's Day Interview with the Characters from Caelihn - A Novel of the Otherworld

1.       What is your opinion on the Valentine’s Day holiday?

-     Meghan – It’s okay.  I really never was a big fan of Valentine’s Day, but it’s a little bit different when you have someone to celebrate it with.

-       Cade – I don’t know much about this holiday since it is a mortal world invention.  Meghan will have to fill me in. 

-       Robyn – I think it’s just another way to get people to buy stuff.  I mean, it was fun and all when I was a kid and we got to exchange cards in school, but not anymore.  If you’ve got someone to celebrate a relationship with, you don’t need one day out of the year to do it.  You can show your appreciation for your significant other in little ways throughout the year.

-      Devlin – I’m with Cade.  I don’t know much about it, only that it’s a day set aside to do something special with the person you love.

2.       If you were to take one of your readers on a Valentine’s Day date, where would you go and why?

-          Meghan – In the mortal world, I would treat them to a night out in the old Arroyo Grande Village.  There is a lot to do there and it’s nice just walking around and hanging out in the small park by the swinging bridge.

-          Cade – If it was possible to take them to the Otherworld, I would take them to Luathara Castle.  We would enjoy a candlelit dinner on the terrace (if it wasn’t raining) and then a walk through the gardens or through the woods nearby.

-       Robyn – I’d probably ask them where they’d like to go first, then decide from there.  Skydiving might be pretty awesome. 

-          Devlin – If we were in Eile, I would take them out in a small boat on Lake Ohll.  We’d paddle out to one of the islands and have dinner by a campfire and watch the stars come out.

3.       What do you look for in a partner?

-          Meghan – someone with a kind soul who appreciates the little things in life.  He would also have to be compassionate and fight for what he believes in.

-      Cade – Integrity, loyalty to loved ones, strength of spirit and mind, compassion and probably the most important: an open mind about many things.

-          Robyn – I look for a guy with an adventurous spirit and a passionate soul.  I’ve been told I can be somewhat prickly at times (though I don’t know why anyone would think such a thing), so someone who can look past my sarcasm and tough-girl attitude and see the real Robyn is a winner in my book.  Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt if he was hot.

-          Devlin – I look for a fierce heart and a passionate mind in my mate.  I admire people who continue to persevere even in the face of adversity.

4.       In your opinion, what is the best way to show someone you love them?

-     Meghan – With your actions.  People aren’t always honest with their words, and sometimes it’s hard to find the right thing to say, but if you pay attention, you can usually tell if someone loves you by how they treat you and act around you.

-       Cade – Do what you need to do to make them happy and safe.  Sometimes that means sacrifice on your part, but that’s what loving someone is about: being selfless for that one person you care for the most.

-          Robyn – Be there for them when it’s tough, even if that means something as easy as being a shoulder to cry on or knowing when to give them space to work things out on their own.

-       Devlin – Sometimes it’s the little things you do to let them know they are appreciated.  Leaving small gifts or laughing at their jokes (even if they aren’t all that funny).

5.       What would you like to do with your significant other this Valentine’s Day?

-          Meghan – I would just love to spend time with Cade without being interrupted by some crazy evil thing wreaking havoc in Luathara or anywhere else in Eile.  One day of not having to deal with the Morrigan’s aftermath.

-          Cade – I’m with Meghan on this one.  Maybe even take a day trip into the mortal world and do some normal, mortal world thing humans do on Valentine’s Day.  Go out to dinner in a restaurant or go see a movie or walk on the beach.  Some peace and quiet with the one I love would be much appreciated.

-         Robyn – I like Cade’s idea of going back to the mortal world for the day.  Devlin and I could go for a hike in the hills surrounding San Luis Obispo and then maybe get something to eat at one of my favorite restaurants or visit the Green Tea Leaf and see how everyone is doing.  Then, we could go see another movie (maybe I’ll let Devlin pick this time).

-          Devlin – I don’t care, as long as I get to spend time with Robyn.

6.       Stay in or go out?

-          Meghan – I’m a stay in kind of girl.

-          Cade – This all depends on what we’d be doing, but I’m leaning towards staying in.

-          Robyn – I think a double date with Meghan and Cade back in the mortal world would be a blast.

-          Devlin – Maybe go camp out in one of the hidden corners of the Weald for the night. 

7.       Flowers or chocolate?

-          Meghan – I would appreciate either.

-       Cade – You mean what I would get for Meghan?  Probably both, and maybe something else from Kellston, like some artwork for her small study in Luathara Castle.

-          Robyn – Both!  Duh!

-          Devlin – Would it be unmanly of me to admit I wouldn’t mind getting some flowers from Robyn?  And maybe some chocolate for the two of us to share after dinner.

8.       Finally, if you could get anything for your Valentine, what would it be?

-         Meghan – Cade has already given me so much, I couldn’t possibly think of what I could give him that would make up for everything.  Well, there is ONE thing, but it’s going to take more than just me to make that happen …

-         Cade – I would like to find Meghan’s father, if he is still alive in Fomor.  I know that she regrets not knowing him, even though she doesn’t speak about it.  Of course, this would mean convincing Danua to tell me more about him, but I feel it is a sore subject with her as well.

-       Robyn – If it was in my power, I would talk Danua into giving Devlin Diarnan Castle.  Since I don’t think that will be happening, I’d like to find some bitterberry bushes to plant in our garden in the Weald since they are his favorite.

-         Devlin – I would find Robyn’s family in Eile and do everything in my power to make sure they do not shun her the way her family in the mortal world did.  I would also like to find the Daramorr and his sister and make it so they can never hurt Robyn again. 

  *****

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this interview!  You can still pre-order the ebook edition of Caelihn - A Novel of the Otherworld from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, iTunes.com and Smashwords.com.  It will be released on February 14th, 2015.

Exclusive Interview with Cade MacRoich by Katrina Curry of Paranormal Romance Trance!

Greetings readers and Happy New Year!  I am more than ready to welcome a fresh, and hopefully less stressful, shiny new year.  I'd like to start that year out with an EXCLUSIVE interview with my main male protagonist from the Otherworld Series, Caedehn MacRoich.  Several weeks ago, Cade agreed to sit down with the fabulous Katrina Curry of Paranormal Romance Trance to answer some questions.  Don't worry if you haven't read the books yet; Cade was very careful not to give too much away ;).  Anyways, I hope you will enjoy this conversation and don't be afraid to add your own questions or comments below!  I also want to thank Katrina for the interview.  Be sure to check out her Facebook page where she hosts giveaways and author spotlights for many paranormal romance writers.
-J.E. Johnson

Katrina Curry with Paranormal Romance Trance Interviews Caedehn MacRoich of the Otherworld Trilogy

KC: First, if you could please state your name:
CM: Caedehn MacRoich, but most who know me call me Cade.

KC: Your place of birth?
CM: Eile, the Otherworld.

KC: Can you tell us a little bit about your heritage?
CM: For the sake of new readers, I won’t go into detail here.  Let’s just say I have some interesting relatives and that fact has gotten me into trouble more often than not.  By the end of Dolmarehn you’ll find out more about my bloodlines.

KC: What is your eye color?
CM: They’re changeable, but most often green.

KC: How about your hair color?
CM: Dark chestnut red.

KC: Where are some of the places you’ve lived?
CM: All over Eile.  I’ve lived in the Morrigan’s realm, the Dagda’s abode, the Weald.  Currently I live in my ruined castle, Luathara, in the low hills of southwestern Eile.  I also maintain a small apartment in the mortal world where the Morrigan’s faelah like to frequent the most.

KC: Do you have any friends?
CM: Fergus, my spirit guide, is my closest friend.  Enorah, my half-sister, is also dear to me.  I’d also like to say that Meghan Elam is a friend, but she’s far more to me than that.

KC: How about enemies?
CM: Mostly the Morrigan, and all those who offer their allegiance to her.

KC: How about your dating history?
CM: Being the Morrigan’s puppet, I never got the chance to date much.  The first woman I ever had any interest in turned out to be just as selfish and manipulative as the war goddess who controls me.  For a long time, I avoided romance altogether.  It wasn’t difficult, and by the time I grew interested in dating once again, somehow or another, the women I pursued found out about my past (and heritage) and quickly lost interest.  I had been unattached for a very long time before finding Meghan.

KC: Who do you admire most?
CM: I mostly admire my foster father, the Dagda.  He has never given up on me, despite the things I’ve done in my past.  Enorah, my sister, is someone else who has always been my rock.  She and the Dagda have been my only family throughout the years.  And Meghan, of course.  Despite the fear and confusion she must be experiencing from all the information she’s gathered of late, she has yet to back down from any of it.

KC: What is your overall outlook on life?
CM: I’ve had a very long time to dwell on this question.  Before meeting Meghan, I would have to admit my outlook on life was very dismal.  Being the Morrigan’s slave and being forced to bend to her will had me considering immortality a curse.  After Meghan came along, however, I found something worth fighting and living for.

KC: Are you lying to yourself about anything?
CM: It is a general habit of mine to lie to myself about many things, the biggest being that I wasn’t falling for Meghan.  My sister and the Dagda would tell you of the many other things I might be keeping to myself, so you would have to ask them.

KC: How would you say you are viewed by others?
CM: I know, from experience, that those in Eile see me as someone to avoid.  I am Ehriad, a wandering warrior with no clan or family connections.  I have those few who care about me (Enorah, the Dagda, and Fergus), but those who do not know me either fear me or look at me with mild revulsion.  I think this is one of the reasons I so easily fell under Meghan’s spell: she didn’t know any of this when we first met and she looked at me with fresh eyes, not ones with years upon years of terrible tales and rumors to consider.

KC: Do you have any pets?
CM: Fergus isn’t really a pet, but he is my spirit guide wolf hound.  And of course there is Speirling, my horse.  But in all honesty, all horses belong to Epona and only wander away from the herd if they wish to stay with a Faelorehn master.  I’ve been blessed to have Speirling stay by my side for many years.

KC: What do you most dislike about yourself?
CM: I most dislike the Morrigan’s hold over me.  It makes me feel weak, although it is a geis that could only be broken if I was willing to forfeit my life.  The things the Morrigan has made me do have tempted me on many occasions to break my geis just to end the torment, but it was only when … well, maybe I should stop there.  Don’t want to give too much of the story away.

KC: Do you get along well with others?
CM: I do my best to get along with others.  When I was sent on a mission to aid the Amsihria women with their draghan, I got along well with my travel companions.  Normally, I avoid other Faelorehn men and women.  I know what they believe of me, and there is no reason for me to try and prove myself otherwise.  I prefer to be alone on the most part.

KC: Do you have any tattoos/piercings/scars?
CM: Tattoos, yes.  A knot work sun pattern over one pectoral denoting my ties to the Morrigan, and a few others.  No piercings, but too many scars to count.

KC: What do people notice first about you?
CM: This would be a good question for Meghan to answer.  Probably my height.  I’m well over six feet tall.

KC: What about your sense of style.  Do you have a trademark look?
CM: I wear the typical clothing of the Otherworld: deerskin pants, a plain tunic.  Sometimes I wear a vest if the occasion calls for it, and I might even change into something nicer than my travel and battle clothes if I’m in the mood.  In the mortal world, I prefer jeans, T-shirt and jacket.  Often times my trench coat.

KC: What would you say are your strongest and weakest character traits?
CM: My strongest character trait would be my patience.  Despite the aggression I often have to keep a tight hold on, I am also capable of patience.  Perhaps this is from years of practice.  My weakest character trait would be my self-doubt.  Years of receiving emotional and physical abuse from the Morrigan has left quite a mark and I sometimes find it hard to acknowledge that I’m not what she has painted me to be.

KC: How much self-control and discipline would you say you have?
CM: More than the average Faelorehn, but there is always the chance I might lose control of my glamour.  That only ever happens in battle and when I am fiercely angry or terrified.

KC: What are some of your fears?
CM: Being trapped in the Morrigan’s employ for all eternity; losing Meghan or my sister.

KC: Do you collect anything?
CM: Not really.  I’m too often wandering the wilds of Eile that I’d lose whatever I managed to accumulate.  Once I’m more fully established in Luathara that might change.

KC: What are some of your talents?
CM: I am quite good with a bow and a sword.

KC: What would you say people like best about you?
CM: According to those who love me the most, I have a good heart.

KC: Do you have a favorite food or drink?
CM: I prefer mead during a celebration, tea in the mornings or afternoons, and clear, clean water from the rushing streams of Eile.  I’m not too picky when it comes to food, and I enjoy preparing it myself.  The best meals are those gathered and prepared in Eile, especially at one of the Dagda’s parties.

KC: What is your favorite music?
CM: I don’t care so much for the music of the mortal world.  I much prefer the natural sounds of Eile and the wind and pipe instruments the Faelorehn have invented over the ages.

KC: Your favorite color?
CM: Brown and green.

KC: Do you have a vehicle?
CM: I own a classic Trans Am that resides in the mortal world.  I hardly ever get to drive it, but it’s there in case I need to travel somewhere quickly.  When in the Otherworld, I’m either walking where I need to go, using the many dolmarehns, or riding Speirling, my black stallion.

KC: When would you say you are most happy?
CM: I’m happiest when in the Otherworld, watching the seasons color the land with their changing.  I enjoy roaming across Eile’s vastness with Fergus, my spirit guide, and breathing in her beauty and wonders.  I prefer to be alone, and was happy that way for many years.  Since meeting Meghan, however, I’m quickly changing my opinion on that.  Being alone with Meghan is now my idea of happiness.

KC: When are you most sad?
CM: I tend to retreat into myself when I am sad.  This happens when I spend too much time in my own head, or when the Morrigan reminds me of some of the things I’ve been forced to do under her rule.

KC: What’s it like when you get angry?
CM: If I get too angry, my glamour flares and my riastrad takes over.  I get angry when my friends and family are in danger, and when innocent people are being hurt or exploited.

KC: What do you laugh or jeer at?
CM: I enjoy laughing, but up until recently, I found little occasion to take part in it.  I don’t really jeer, but if I did, it would be at something the Morrigan said, most likely.  She may be a powerful goddess with a hold over me, but I’m not afraid to let her know how I feel about her.

KC: What’s a way someone could cheer you up?
CM: A good, old-fashioned bonfire with lively music and pleasant company would probably put me in a good mood. 

KC: What are some ways someone might annoy you?
CM: Rub my mistakes in my face, or my weaknesses.  Or try to make my compassion appear wake.  The Morrigan is very good at this.

KC: What are some of your hopes and dreams?
CM: I dream to one day restore Luathara to its former glory and to raise a family.  For too many years I’ve simply existed under the Morrigan’s tyrannical reign.  It would be good to live once again.

KC: What is the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone and why?
CM: I’m not ready to talk about this.  It will crack open a dark past I have worked hard to bury.

KC:  What has been your greatest success?
CM: Again, telling you would be giving too much of the story away.  Let’s just say it involves sacrifice and hard work, but it was all worth it in the end.

KC: Your biggest trauma?
CM: My biggest trauma to date happened at the end of Dolmarehn.  But I can’t go into too many details because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. 

KC: What do you care about most in the world?
CM: Meghan’s happiness.  Also, my sister’s happiness as well.  Enorah’s past is even more haunted than my own.  I would love to see her shake the shadows that plague her and find someone to love as much as I love Meghan.

KC: Do you have any secrets?
CM: I still have many secrets, though not as big as the two I finally revealed to Meghan.

KC: Most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you:
CM: The most embarrassing things happened to me when I was in my youth.  The Morrigan was pretty good about bleeding that particular emotion out of you.

KC: Most amazing thing to ever happen to you:
CM: Meeting Meghan and then the realization that, even after learning who and what I was, she wanted to remain by my side.

KC: If you could be anything or anyone else:
CM: rowing up, I had wanted to be anyone but myself.  I would have given anything to be a simple Faelorehn boy who didn’t have unruly glamour and who wasn’t geis-bound to the Morrigan.  Now, although I know there is still much room for growth and improvement, I am happy with where I am in my life.

KC: You are the kind of person who:
CM: I tend to run head-on into danger to prevent others from getting hurt, even when it is almost guaranteed that I will injure myself.

KC: Why might the reader sympathize with you right away?
CM: If you asked Enorah, or the Dagda, this question, they would tell you that although I’m a bit rough around the edges, my heart, and intentions, are well-placed.  I think I present a mystery to most people.  I try hard to keep my darkest secrets to myself (and I have many), and somehow I think that fact gets picked up by people.  People tend to gravitate towards those they find intriguing or shocking, and I think I contain a little bit of both those aspects.  I am also fiercely loyal to the ones I love, and that, too, is something people find appealing in others.

KC: What, if anything, keeps you from pursuing your passion?
CM: My many fears, mostly fears about how my negative associations and terrible past might affect others.

KC: What are your views on having children?
CM: I would love to be a father.  Before that can happen, however, I need to make Eile as safe as possible.  That means I have a lot of work to do in cleaning up the mess the Morrigan left behind before I can start a family.

KC: What are your views on marriage?
CM: In Eile, we have a binding ceremony.  I never thought I’d ever be the type of person to take part in a binding ceremony, but that was before I met Meghan.  Marriage to me is not about the ceremony, but the commitment between the two people who decide to share a life together.  I am looking forward to sharing my immortal life with Meghan.

KC: Plans for the future?
CM: Although I have successfully put my unsavory past behind me, I know there will be more trials and tribulations ahead.  The difference, this time, is that I have Meghan by my side to help me through them, as well as my sister and my other friends, old and new.  The Morrigan is gone, for now, but her dark magic still lingers.  I expect many challenges for the future, but I have a much stronger purpose now.

*****

Thank you Cade and Katrina for the interview!  If you'd like to read more about Cade's story, check out my Otherworld Trilogy page where you can read the first chapter in each book, and my Reading Guide and Where to Buy page for the series order and links to where you can purchase and download my books.

Character Interview with Meghan and Cade!

Here it is!  The interview I included at the end of the Omnibus Edition.  Sorry I didn't post it sooner, but I wanted to give everyone a chance to finish reading Luathara first.  Enjoy!

-J.E. Johnson

 

*WARNING!  DON'T READ THIS INTERVIEW UNLESS YOU'VE ALREADY READ LUATHARA BECAUSE IT CONTAINS SPOILERS*

 

Now that I have finished writing the Otherworld Trilogy, I thought it would be fun to interview the two main characters, Meghan Elam and Cade MacRoich.  They have been kind enough to sit down with me and answer a few questions for all of you.  Now, if you've not yet finished all three books in the series, I suggest you save this interview for later since there are some spoilers here.  However, if you don't mind such things, by all means, read on!

JEJ: I'll start with you Meghan, since the story is told from your point of view.  Did you ever imagine your life would be something worth reading about?

Meghan: Ha, no way.  Okay, maybe now I can understand why my life might be interesting, what with all that has happened to me in the past few years.  If you'd asked me before my seventeenth birthday though, I'd have looked at you like you were crazy.  Let's face it; my life was pretty dull before Cade showed up.

JEJ: Alright, that's a pretty honest answer.  Cade, I turn the questions over to you now.  How about your life?  You've been alive for a long time, just how old are you exactly and would the earlier part of your life make a good story?

Cade: Most of the events of my past are things I'd rather forget, though I can only imagine those experiences would make good material for an interesting tale.  When you have lived several thousand years (no, I'm not going to give you an exact number), a lot can, and will, happen to you.

JEJ: Yikes, you have lived for a long time.  Meghan, does it bother you knowing that Cade is so much older than you?

Meghan: I never really thought about it much, actually.  He doesn't look that much older than me, and I can tell you from personal experience that it has only made him a better, kinder and wiser person.

JEJ: Cade, what about you?  Do you worry about the differences in your ages?

Cade: I did at first, but the thing with being immortal is you can live for centuries before you find your soul mate.  I fully believe that's the case with Meghan and me.  It would have been wonderful to find her sooner, but back then I wasn't the person I am now, and I might not have seen how truly wonderful she is.

JEJ: Okay, I think I'll leave the personal questions for now and move on to something else.  This next question is for both of you.  Which of the faelah do you dislike the most?

Meghan: All of them are horrible, but I think the worst is the puca, especially when it came to Luathara and started speaking.  A close second is the Morrigan's Cumorrig, after she transformed them.  I'm just glad they aren't hunting us any longer.

Cade: I have to agree with Meghan on this one, especially considering my own personal experience with the Cumorrig.

JEJ: Do you think you'll ever have to deal with the Morrigan again?

Cade: Unfortunately, she will someday return to Eile, but we have a good thousand years or so before that happens.  We'll just have to remain vigilant and make sure she never grows that powerful again.

JEJ: And now for some more pleasant questions.  Meghan, why do you like twigrins so much?

Meghan (laughs): What's not to like?  I wish everyone could come to Eile and see them.  They're so cute!  Like stick figures come to life, but with more detail of course.  I'm still waiting to see them in the spring and I hope the ones Cade got me for the garden will get flowers on them.

JEJ: On that note, Cade has given you so many gifts: the twigrins, the mistletoe charm, the torque, Meridian . . . are you ever going to return the favor?

Cade (interrupts): She doesn't have to give me anything.  I already have everything I could want.

JEJ: I'm assuming you're referring to the fact that she accepted your proposal of marriage?

Cade (smiling): Yes.

Meghan: That doesn't mean I can't give him something.  I just haven't thought of the right gift yet.  But don't worry, when I do, it will be something good, I promise.

JEJ: You'll be sure to tell me Meghan when you figure it out, right?

Meghan (smiling): We'll see.

JEJ: Okay, new question, this one's for Cade.  It's clear your sister Enorah loves you very much, and Meghan as well.  Do you plan on inviting her to live with you in the castle at Luathara?

Cade: I'd love for Enorah to come live with us, but she is very attached to the wildren of the Weald.

JEJ: I noticed she seems to be a troubled soul, despite the happy-go-lucky front she gives us.  Is there a reason she seems sad at times, I mean, besides the fact that the Morrigan controlled your life for so long?

Cade: That's Enorah's story to tell, but I will say she has experienced as much hardship in her life as I have.  I believe she is content in taking care of the children of the Weald, for now.  It keeps her mind and her heart occupied, though I hope someday she'll find a way to banish the demons from her past.

JEJ: Meghan, if I may ask, how are things going with your mother?

Meghan: So much better now.  We were both so stubborn and selfish with our own personal feelings before the war with the Morrigan, but I think we were hurting as well.  I'm pleased to say that I see her a lot more often now and I've been slowly learning more about my past and even a little about my father.

JEJ: Speaking of which, and if you feel comfortable discussing it, whatever happened to your father?

Meghan: As much as I'd like all the questions about my father to be answered, I feel my mother doesn't like to talk much about their last parting.  I think she's still pretty heart-broken, to tell you the truth.  I don't even know if he's still alive, but if he is, I hope that one day I'll get to meet him.

JEJ: How about Aiden?  Do you think he will heal from his ordeal with the Morrigan?

Meghan: Absolutely.  I know I've only really known Aiden as he was in the mortal world, but in the short time we spent together here in Eile, I could tell he was ready to embrace his new life as my Faelorehn brother.  In fact, Aiden's always been strong, even when something is worrying or scaring him.

JEJ: Are you looking forward to summers in Eile?

Meghan: Are you kidding?  I've already planned it out with my Mom and Danua.  Aiden will spend the first and last weeks of his summer vacation exclusively at Luathara, and I'll go and visit him in Erintara while he's there.  Cade's also promised to teach him how to ride and hunt faelah.

JEJ: So, there are still some faelah around then, even after you demolished the Morrigan.

Cade: There are plenty left, but they are not controlled by her will.  What that means is she was responsible for creating them, but she can no longer tell them what to do, and fortunately they aren't clever enough to band together like they did when she and Donn ruled over them.  Several of us, Faelorehn men and women who are willing, will be keeping them under control.  I know that Danua and the other Tuatha De plan on sending a few of us into the mortal world to take care of the strays there.

JEJ: Will you continue working as a faelah bounty hunter then?

Cade: I'd prefer to stay at Luathara and help keep the castle and its lands in running order.  That might include hunting down any of the faelah and other dangerous Otherworldly beasts that choose to harass us.  Of course, if I'm needed, I will go but only if Meghan will permit me.

JEJ: Meghan, would you be willing to let Cade keep up his old job?

Meghan: Only if he lets me go with him.  I'm much better at using my magic now and after all we've been through, I'm reluctant to let him out of my sight for very long.

JEJ: And how about your old friends and family in the mortal world?  Do you plan on visiting them?

Meghan: Cade and I are definitely going to visit them at least once a year around Christmas time.  That way I know Robyn, Tully, Will and Thomas will be home from college.  Mom and Dad have also insisted we stay with them and my brothers for at least a week when we are there, so I won't be completely cut off from my mortal family.

JEJ: Okay, one final question for the both of you.  I've had a few readers telling me they are sorry to see your story end.  Will we ever hear from the two of you again?

Cade: You're the author.  That's up to you, isn't it?

JEJ: Well, yes, I guess so.  But just because you were willing to give me your time before, doesn't mean you'll have any free time in the future, right?

Meghan: I'm sure you'll be hearing from us again, but for now Cade and I would like a little time to settle into our new life.

JEJ: Oh, I think we can all understand that.  Thank you, the both of you, for answering my questions.  I look forward to hearing from you again, whenever that might be!

I Need Interview Questions for my Faelorehn Characters!

Hello Readers!

I have been spending a good deal of my summer break getting Dolmarehn ready for publishing and working on the third book in the Otherworld Trilogy.  The past few days, I've also been inundated with ideas for more books about the characters in this series, especially a short story told from Cade's point of view.  With that in mind, I'd really like to post a character interview sometime in the future with one (or more) of the characters from Faelorehn.  So, I'm opening this up to you guys: Does anyone have any questions they would like to ask Meghan, Cade, Robyn, Tully or any of the other characters from Faelorehn?  Now, I cannot guarantee that I can answer every question (some might be too revealing to discuss on a blog ;)), but I am eager to hear what my readers might be curious about.  If you would like to offer up your inquiries, you can either leave a comment for this post, or send them directly to me at jejoescienne@yahoo.com.  Thanks and I hope to hear back from some of you!  Until then, happy reading ;).

-J.E. Johnson

In and Out of Character: Interview with Jaax from the Legend of Oescienne Series

1. Let’s start out with an easy question: since today is National Appreciate a Dragon Day, can you tell us why we should take a moment to appreciate your kind?

A very good question, and I have a very good answer: when human beings flourished in Ethöes, it was the responsibility of the dragons to tutor them and guide them to become a more learned race.  Dragons have always played an important role in this world, and I hope my kind will have the chance to make a difference once again and purge Ciarrohn and his ilk from the world.

2. Can you share one thing you regret and tell us why?

A tough question, but the one thing that comes to mind is the time I’ve spent with Jahrra so far.  I regret staying away as long as I did when she was very young.  It has caused a great chasm between us, one I hope we are finally beginning to mend.  If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have made more time to visit her and get to know her.

3. Do you have any heroes?

A few.  Traagien of course, for his bravery and perseverance in destroying Ciarrohn once before.  Most Tanaan dragons look up to Traagien since our race was modeled after him, when the Crimson King set a curse upon our kind.  I guess those humans who had been cursed to be dragons for the rest of their lives found some solace in resembling the single dragon who had defeated Ciarrohn before.  I guess it’s our way of holding onto hope.

Another hero of mine is Hroombra of course.   Without his patient guidance I would have been lost several times over.  Besides, he helped me to understand Jahrra more than I would have been able to accomplish on my own.

4. In The Awakening, we learn that you head the Coalition for Ethöes, an elite group of dragons and other beings that make it their goal to plan and prepare for the day they’ll be needed to help restore the world to how it was  before the Crimson King gained power.  Have you always wanted to be a leader, or was it something that fell into your lap?

I was never expected to be much of a leader, but life seldom paves an easy path for those who walk it.  Fortunately, when I realized that my role in restoring Ethöes would be greater than I had first thought, I had someone to help guide me along the way.  Although I don’t feel absolutely sure of where I’m heading, I at least feel a little more confident in my chosen path.

5. In the first chapter of The Finding, we learn that you have been searching for the promised human child for centuries.  Can you describe what it was like when you first realized your search was over?

Exhilarating, terrifying and miraculous, all wrapped into a single emotion.  I can’t really describe it.  I had been searching for Jahrra for so long that I had started simply going through the motions; arriving at a location after learning a human child had possibly been found and not even bothering to give the infant a second glance.  But for some reason, Jahrra was different.  Although I had a hard time believing it, there was something about her aura, a life force too powerful to be contained in such a young infant.  It felt like my scales were standing on end for a good week after deciding she was the one.

6. In The Beginning, you arrive in Oescienne just after Jahrra has won a prestigious horse race.  It was clear that you were very angry with her for lying to her mentor, Hroombra, but did you feel any pride at all?

I’ll admit it, I was extremely angry with her, but it wasn’t truly her fault.  If I remember correctly, the reason I had rushed to Oescienne was because of some worrying information I’d received from other members of the Coalition, information that suggested she might be in trouble.  To arrive at the Castle Guard Ruin and learn no one knew where she was was tantamount to a lance being driven through my heart.  My anger at her was a result of her terrifying us all to death.  But I had also never been more proud.  Unfortunately, my fear and anger burned too fiercely to let any of that pride show.

7. Jaax, you are really good at putting on a harsh face and hiding your emotions.  How have you become so good at this talent and are there ever times where you feel that your mask is slipping off?

Years and years of practice.  In my line of work, one cannot afford to betray a stray emotion.  If the enemy can read you, then you might as well just tell them what your weaknesses and strengths are.  I fear that perhaps over the centuries I have become too good at being harsh and cold at times, but if that’s what it takes to keep Jahrra and the Coalition safe and to meet our end goal, then I will continue to do.

Have I ever felt the mask slipping?  Yes, but usually only when I’ve gotten into another, let’s say heated discussion, with Jahrra.

8. At the end of the third book, we learn that you and Jahrra must once again flee from a place that has become a home for the both of you.  Can you give us any clues as to where you are heading and what we might expect from you and your ward in the next book?

Of course, I cannot predict the future.  You would have to ask a Mystic for that.  What I can promise is that we will head further north, into the mountains, our final destination being Nimbronia, the great frozen city of the Creecemind dragons.  And although I can’t tell you exactly what to expect, I can promise there is a very high possibility of several more arguments arising between Jahrra and I.  Fortunately, we’ll have Ellyesce to help act as a mediator.

9.  And finally, if you and Jahrra manage to defeat the Crimson King, do you think the remaining Tanaan dragons will become human once again?

That is a hard question to answer, because I fear I don’t have the expertise or knowledge to answer it properly.  I hope that is what will happen, but I cannot say for certain.  Ciarrohn wields dark magic, and with curses formed from such magic, one can never know how the curse will be broken or if it can be broken at all.  I only hope that Ethöes will keep her promise, as she has with Jahrra and that when this is all over, the Tanaan prince of Oescienne will be restored and Ciarrohn’s evil will be purged from our world forever.

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If you would like to read Jaax and Jahrra’s story, you can get the Legend of Oescienne books from amazon.com in paperback and ebook format, and from barnesandnoble.com in ebook format.

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If you have an ereader other than a Kindle or a Nook, you’re in luck!  The Finding (Book One) is currently FREE from smashwords.com and is offered in many different electronic formats for the ereader of your choice.  It is also FREE for the Nook on barnesandnoble.com

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Thank you for reading this interview with Raejaaxorix, a character from the Legend of Oescienne series!  If you would like to read more interviews of the other characters from these books, send me an email at jejoescienne@yahoo.com