Hi, everyone!
I am pleased to participate in Áine P. Massie's Virtual Book Tour for Blood's Voice (Book #1) and Blood Bound (Book #2) of the House Millar Series presented by Geas Publishing.
About Áine:
Áine P Massie is originally from Florida, she now lives in Wisconsin where she works on her House Millar series full time while raising four children (the term herding cats comes to mind). Her major in College was Childhood Education (0-5) with a minor study in Deaf Culture/ASL. She is also a Wiccan priestess dedicated to the gods, family, and love.
A life-long reader, Áine has always had a particular fascination with vampires, mythology, and the unusual. When she can escape from her children and books, she enjoys .. oh yes, reading, playing, ritual, a good cappuccino, and working with her healing stones.
Her first published work came in high school where she was part of a writing and drama group. But, she’s been reading the likes of Shakespeare and Poe since late elementary school and enjoys most forms of fiction. Blood’s Voice has been a long time in coming and with its publication (June 2011) Áine embarked on a new chapter in her life.
Áine P Massie is currently working on her third novel, Glamour Blade.
Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, Áine!
We are doing something a little different today. Rather than an author interview or guest post, we are going to do a Character Interview with my favourite character from Blood's Voice.
Character Interview with the Vampire Nicholas of The House Millar Series:
Thank you for allowing me this inside peek into what makes you, you.
Settling down in the chair across from me, I note Nicholas is dressed in tight black slacks, hair styled perfectly, leather bracer on his right wrist and over-sized watch on a biker band on the other, topped with a dark blueberry silk dress shirt. The shirt was unbuttoned more than just the collar and at the bottom just a little.
Thank you for the invitation. I love your site, by the way.
I’ll start off with an easy one. You’re a vampire?
*Flashing a smile, showing his fangs* Of course. I am one of few aberrations but I am still happily fanged.
Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
My name is Nicholas Andrew Gray Young. I am, as you graciously pointed out, a vampire, though I try to protect the fragile humans around me. I was born in 1815 in Canada and love my country of origin dearly. Jonathan sired me in 1835, which is an interesting story but I won’t get into that right now.
I am the bonded mate to Anya and Declán, though you have to read Blood’s Voice to find out all the details of how I ended up with two such loving and amusingly twisted partners.
You obviously had feelings for Anya from before. How did you feel about her friendship with Declán at first?
I loved Anya almost from the moment I met her sixty years ago. She is an amazing and complex woman. *pausing for a moment then swallowing hard he continued* Losing her nearly destroyed me. Finding her again was the first time in nearly three decades I had felt much of anything so having to deal with her wanting Dec too… was trivial to me. I was far more concerned with rebuilding our friendship and hoping to have my love returned than if she wanted to play with Declán.
I have to admit though; I was a bit naive on this point. I didn’t honestly think she would fall in love with him but as he managed to steal my heart as well, I can’t really fault her. My only true fear with respect to Dec was if she would prefer the life he could provide her. Our relationship and style of passion, I suppose you would call it, was not the same as with him.
Sharing I could do, losing I could not.
Nicholas, you now share a blood bond and have strong feelings for both Anya and Declán. How do you feel about having to share Anya? How do you feel about having to share Declán?
As I said before, I love them both. Sharing is not a problem in my mind. Anyone else touches my beloved ones is a whole other topic though. The blood bond with me was accidental in Declán’s case but neither of us regrets it. I didn’t even at the time, though I would have preferred the choice to bond with him.
The hard part isn’t sharing; it’s knowing how to deal with the views of others. I hate dealing with those that want to relegate Dec to the status of pet.
I know you’re not too male-centric so I’ll ask this next one… How did you deal with being rescued by Anya? Has it affected your relationship in any way?
I had no problem from the point of view that she was female but rather that of all beings to have to enter into that area, Anya is the last person ever I would have wanted there. I think the trauma to her was far worse than to me.
The only lasting issues are from what I saw and what she did to retrieve me, not from the fact it was a woman. Women are far more powerful than others often realize.
In Blood’s Voice it’s mentioned that you ‘super hero’ for humans and you help train Declán. My question is, were you ever in the military? Where did you receive your combat training?
No, I was never in the military. I should have been but due to my human family and their needs I stayed at home until shortly before I “died” and became as I am now. I have great respect for those that are called to be warriors of any form, as long as they are seeking to protect and defend, not murder and destroy. A bit of an oxymoron for a vamp, I know, but hey. *wink*
Most of my combat skills were picked up and honed after Jonathan found me. He is a great fighter, though he rarely shows that side to others. A few of his friends also taught me. A weak vampire does not survive long so he made sure I would be at his side for ages to come.
You don’t speak as someone from the time you were born, why?
I have been told that my manners and inflections are often a bit ‘old fashioned’ but I strive to keep up to date with my speech. If I didn’t I would stand out more than I do, yes? I just can’t do the slouching and cursing that I see so often though, and ugh, the way so many males dress now. It’s inappropriate and disrespectful. Sorry, I will get off my soap box now.
One last question and I’ll let you get back to your family. Who was your first love?
Oh, to love, to laugh, to live a lifetime within ones heart and soul. My first love was Anya. I had never met anyone that could hold my interest or heart until I met her. She is, and always will be, my love, my heart, and my soul. I am thankful that she is willing to share that spot with Dec as I could not imagine my life without having met either.
**Salutations
Thank you for taking the time to invite me and for helping to share our story. It’s been a pleasure spending time with you. *Nicholas takes Darlene’s hand, bending to kiss the back of it before giving her another fanged smile on his way out.*
Thanks so much for joining us today, Nicholas (and Áine!). It was a lot of fun getting to know you better, and you are as charming in person as you are in the story!
Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive an e-book copy of Blood's Voice (Book #1 of the House Millar Series).
This giveaway is open internationally.
SYNOPSIS:
Anya Millar had no memory of her life or an instruction manual on how to navigate the insane world of humans, biting, and reality. Instead, Anya has had to learn to navigate the world of love, life, and sanity while avoiding those that would see her dead or enslaved.
This is the ongoing journey of Anya and Nicholas, human loving vampires and the human they love, Declán. What makes it all more complicated is that they are abominations in their own world and Declán is a natural born vampire hunter called a Guardian.
Anya must come to terms with who she is and her missing past, Nicholas must win back the object of his eternal love while dealing with new cravings in his silent heart, and Declán must learn to destroy the very creatures that he has unequivocally given his heart and blood.
To enter the giveaway, please complete the Rafflecopter entry form below.
This giveaway is open to all with a valid email address until 12:01 AM EST on November 4, 2011.
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