Interview With Rachel Hawkins

Many of you remember Rachel's (somewhat legendary) interview last year where she took on the Were-llama with style. You may also recall that I included Rachel's first book, HEX HALL, in my list of the best books I read in 2010. Rachel is hilarious, authentic, smart, and talented, and I couldn't wait to have her back on the blog!

DEMONGLASS, the sequel to HEX HALL, hit the shelves March 1st. As soon as I turn in my latest manuscript, I am going to be all over this book! Here's a peek:

WARNING: Spoiler alert for those of you who haven't read HEX HALL.

Sophie Mercer's first term at Hex Hall turned out to be quite eventful. First the ghost of her evil grandmother haunted her every move, then her best friend was accused of murder and of course there was the discovery that Archer Cross, aka the boy of her dreams, was actually an undercover demon hunter - which would probably be something she could have worked on, if she hadn't also discovered that she was actually the demon Archer was hunting...So, despite their issues, Sophie is actually relieved to be spending the summer in London with her father. But when your father is Head of The Council of Prodigium and your summer is being spent at the headquarters of everything magical, then a quiet holiday isn't really that likely. And, as Sophie struggles to come to terms with her new found demon powers, she finds herself thrust once again into a world of dark magic and conspiracies. The only thing that could possibly make things more complicated would be for Archer Cross to show up again, which of course he wouldn't, would he?

Since Rachel was interviewed by the Were-llama last time, I offered her the option to choose between the Spork of Doom and Captain Jack Sparrow. She chose Captain Jack. I believe her very words were, "It's HIGH TIME I got my hands on Captain Jack."

He had no objections.

I'm excited to announce that Rachel will be giving away a signed copy of DEMONGLASS and a super cool DEMONGLASS tote bag (!!) to one lucky commenter. More details on that later, but first, let me introduce today's guests.

Captain Jack Sparrow

Rachel Hawkins

Now that you know who's who, lets reveal the gorgeous cupcake my hubby made for Rachel and dive into the interview. In DEMONGLASS, Sophie is spending the summer in London. What represents London better than Big Ben? So, Rachel requested a Big Ben cupcake. The conversation went like this:

Hubby: What kind of cupcake does Rachel want?
Me: Big Ben
Hubby: As in London's Big Ben?
Me: Yes. Her book is set in London.
Hubby: Can I just put a watch on a cupcake?
Me: Rachel wants BIG BEN
Hubby: %$#@

But he came through and then some! So, without further ado, I give you Rachel with her hands on Captain Jack and the Big Ben cupcake.

1. Would you classify yourself as a pirate or a member of Her Majesty’s Royal navy? Why?


I wear a lot of scarves and once had scurvy, so I GUESS that makes me a pirate? (I’m kidding about the scurvy thing. I put enough limes in my vodka tonics to ward that shizz off.)

2. Pity. I rather like the idea of a woman who survived scurvy. What’s your favorite thing to do in Tortuga?

Start bar brawls, obvs. Oh, and say “Tortuuuuugaaaaaa” over and over again until it stops sounding like a word.

3. I feel your mind must be a wondrous strange place to be. I’m offering you free passage aboard my ship to anywhere in the world. Where shall we go, love?

Fiji. Or Bora-Bora. Or Tahiti. Wait, are those all the same places? I totally failed Geography.

4. It's alright, darling. Your prowess at bar brawls more than makes up for your stunning lack of geographical knowledge. With my compass and your right hook, who can stop us? Who is the hero of your story most like: me (savvy, debonair, and unquestionably smooth with the ladies), the insufferably honorable Will Turner, or that deceptive little minx Elizabeth?

The term ‘deceptive little minx” was practically invented for my heroine, Sophie. Although her love interest is definitely savvy, debonair, and unquestionably smooth with the ladies. Insufferably honorable people don’t do well in my books.

5. I find myself unaccountably intrigued by your heroine, although in my experience, deceptive little minxes generally result in one examining the inner digestive workings of a foul-smelling beast of myth and legend. Rum? Or more rum?

More rum. ALWAYS.

6. Darling, we must run away together. I appreciate a woman who knows how to hold her rum. Which leads me to the age old question: Why is the rum always gone?

Because I have made a bathtub full of Mojitos.

7. Marry me. What’s the most piratish thing you’ve ever done?

I got a tattoo when I was 18. And there was also a skinny-dipping incident in college. Oh, and I LITERALLY used to swab the deck on my Dad’s boat, so…yeah, my whole life has been filled with Piratish Things. Argh.

8. You can swab my deck any time you like. Are they rules? Or more like guidelines?

If I came up with them, they’re rules. If other people did, they’re guidelines.

9. It's like we share the same, rum-soaked mind. I understand you’re a story-teller. Any undead monkeys in your stories?

No, but now I have the plot for my new book, THE FOREST OF BANANAS AND POOP. Thanks!

10. Either you're brilliant, or you've emptied the bathtub full of mojitos. Any curses in your story? Heartless monsters? Irritating women who insist on taking matters into their own hands?

ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MORE. Oh, and also fire and swords and hot make out sessions.

11. Darling, you forgot to mention you were writing my biography! Be sure to include the CAPTAIN in front of my name. One of my favorite words is “egregious.” Care to share one of yours, love?

Pamplemousse. French for grapefruit, most perfect word ever.

12. I believe I once knew a scurvy wench in Tortuga by the name of Pamplemousse. I don't think it's possible to overstate the scurvy in this instance. Parlay? Or draw your sword?

I would probably stab myself attempting to draw my sword, so due to General Physical Awkwardness, let’s go with parlay.

13. Leave the sword drawing to me, darling. You’ve got a crowd of cursed sailors and a nasty sea monster on your trail. How do you escape?

When in doubt, jet skis and flame throwers are always the answer.

14. I find myself grateful you haven't aligned yourself against me. Romantic night in? Or adventure on the high seas?

Romantic adventure on the high seas! What’s more romantical than swinging from ropes and dodging cannon balls? NOTHING.

15. Throw in a bathtub full of rum, and you've described my perfect evening. My personal motto is: Take what you want, give nothing back. What’s yours?

Sit back until you know who the a-holes are. Thanks for that one, Dad!

 
Thank you, Rachel, for such a fun interview! (Trust me. Her books are just as entertaining!) To learn more about Rachel, visit her site. To purchase DEMONGLASS, go here.
 
Of course, the fun isn't over yet! Rachel is giving away a signed copy of DEMONGLASS and an awesome DEMONGLASS tote bag! Here's how to enter: (Giveaway is North America only)
 
1. Earn entries:


*Comment on this post = 1 entry

*Be a follower of this blog = 2 entries

*Tweet the link to this interview = 3 entries (Use @cjredwine or leave url to tweet in your comment so I can see it.)

*Post the contest on your blog or facebook= 3 entries (Include link in your comment.)

2. Tally it up:

Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.

3. Check back:

The contest is open until 8 p.m. (central time) Sunday, March 13th. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!

Good luck to all, and happy reading!