Friday, March 12, 2010

Interview With Kelly Gay Author Of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS



When my friend and fellow Pixie ('08 Golden Heart finalists) Kelly Gay's book hit the shelves, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I had that little tingle of anticipation that tells me I'm going to love a book. I was right. Kelly's world-building is amazing, her characters come right off the page, and she managed to write both a fast-paced thriller and a heart-breaking story of love, loss, and the sacrifices we're willing to make to do what we think is right. Plus, she laid the groundwork for a well-developed series, and I can't wait to read the rest!

Here's a peek at TBPD:

Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.


I was so excited when Kelly agreed to take on Captain Jack Sparrow for a blog interview. (Not that taking on Captain Jack Sparrow is a hardship.)



Captain Jack Sparrow



Kelly Gay

Now that you know who's who, let's dive into the interview and reveal the amazing cupcake my hubby made (No more Cupcakegate for him!) in honor of Kelly. The source of much of TBPD's trouble is a flower called the Bleeding Soul. Hubby transformed this mythical flower into a cupcake. Without further ado, I give you the cupcake and Kelly's interview with Captain Jack:



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

Why? Pirate, of course. I have issues with authority.

2. Darling, you're speaking my language. What’s your favorite thing to do in Tortuga?

Checking out the other pirate’s looted treasures when they dock. If there’s something I want… well, rest assured I’ll find a way to get it. This usually involves bets, dares, and games of chance. Bat an eyelash, look simple, and most tend to underestimate me. You should see the things I’ve collected, mate.

3. Is that an invitation? I’m offering you free passage aboard my ship to anywhere in the world. Where shall we go, love?

The Mediterranean would be nice. The Greek Isles. Ruined temples. Warm nights. And I hear there’s treasure to be had if you know where to look…

4. Where have you been all my life? 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?

I’d say Charlie is a lot like Will with a little dash of Elizabeth and you, Capt’n, thrown in. She’s honorable, with a sense of justice that runs deep, but she’s not above going vigilante (or dare I say, pirate) if need be.

5. Rum? Or more rum?

More rum. =)

6. Which leads me to the age old question: Why is the rum always gone?

*tucking bottle of rum behind her and looking innocent* I don’t know what you mean.

7. Darling, we may have to run away together. With the entire stash of rum, of course. What’s the most piratish thing you’ve ever done?

Sailing to the Outer Banks. Digging for diamonds in Arkansas. Mining for gemstones in North Carolina… I’ve an eye for the sparklies, mate.

8. And I've an eye for ladies who know how to get their own sparklies. Are they rules? Or more like guidelines?

Bah. I’ve no love of rules. Guidelines? Perhaps. If they suit me.

9. I understand you’re a story-teller. Any undead monkeys in your stories?

No undead monkeys, but there are gargoyles. Nasty, monkey-sized irritants that cost far too much gold and cause far too much trouble.

10. Let's hope none of them are named Jack. Any curses? Heartless monsters? Irritating women who insist on taking matters into their own hands?

Heartless monsters, check. Women taking matters into their own hands, check – though ‘irritating’ depends on what side you’re on.

11. The last woman I met who took matters into her own hands cost me my life. I find that just a wee bit irritating. One of my favorite words is “egregious.” Care to share one of yours, love?

Words are my treasures, Capt’n Jack. I like strong ones like ‘claim’, ‘enthrall’, ‘slay’ ‘possess’.

12. I say forget the rest of the interview. Let's go slay, claim, enthrall, and darling, feel free to possess me. Hands off the hat, though. Parlay? Or draw your sword?

*grins* Swords. *standing back, drawing blade, and admiring the gleaming steel* She’s a beauty, isn’t she? You ready to feel her sting?

13. And here I thought we were getting along so famously. There's a strong streak of pirate in you, my dear. I'll be watching my back. And my rum. You’ve got a crowd of cursed sailors and a nasty sea monster on your trail. How do you escape?

Follow the fleeing guy with the rum?

14. Run away to fight another day is always an excellent course of action. Romantic night in? Or adventure on the high seas?

Adventure on the high seas, of course. Though, there is always time for a little romance amid the fun, eh?

15. As long as you're with my, love, you can have all the romance and adventure your little pirate heart can take. My personal motto is: Take what you want, give nothing back. What’s yours?

Always follow the rum. =)

Thanks for the fun interview, Kelly! And for writing such a fantastic book. To learn more about Kelly, visit her website and her blog. To order a copy of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS (and you really should!) go here. To pre-order the sequel, THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN (I know I am!) go here.

Now, for a little more fun. Kelly is giving away a signed copy of THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS to one lucky commenter today! To enter, leave a comment for Kelly answering this question:

What's the most piratish thing you've ever done?

19 comments:

  1. What a great interview (and not just because of Cap'n Jack!). That sounds like my kind of book.

    Okay, the most piratish thing I've done:

    Looked for the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.

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  2. Hey, Kelly! I've got excited about this book from the moment you announced you'd sold it and told what it was about. Looking forward to reading it.

    And Captain Jack, stop talking about Will that way! I heart Will Turner.

    Okay, most piratish thing I've ever done...I went to a pirate exhibit at a museum once. :) Oh, and I joined the Romance Bandits blog, where we regularly give away lots of cool Bandit loot.

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  3. Loved the interview, it was different and fun!

    The most piraty thing I've done?

    I'd be a member of her Royal Navy, so I'll have to say, NOTHING! Mwaha.

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  4. I think it's obvious to everyone here that Capt'n Jack and I make a splendid couple. *C.J. Please don't kill me for saying that* LOL.

    Ooh, Jami, that sounds so cool! Er, did ya find anything? :-)

    Trish Milburn! Hey, lady! I've still got yours in my TBR pile. *sigh* I'm so far behind...btw, luv the new cover for Winter Longing.

    Jess - Haha! :D

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  5. What a fabulously entertaining interview, Kelly and C.J. (er, Captain Jack).

    Most piratish thing I've done? Hmm...I *have* gone digging for gold, but I'd have to say my best piratish adventures are all figments of my imagination (and in my manuscripts!).

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  6. Oh, yes. This was a good book. No need to put me in teh drawing, CJ, I already own it.

    Most piratish thing I've done? Does hoarding those chocolate gold coins count?

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  7. Ooooo... I graduated from ECU baby! I was a Pirate for 4 years.

    Kelly, be careful about saying you and any form of Johnny would make a splendid couple. I did that once and CJ threw a stiletto at my eye. (Thankfully I karate chopped it down with my own stiletto, but STILL.)

    Last summer I dug for treasure below the cliffs of Calvert Cliffs, Maryland. (true story)

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  8. Last summer I sailed to an island in Lake Michigan and searched for the famed buried treasure of 1800's Mormon leader James Jesse Strang. True, it was for a short film spoof, but the story of the treasure is real. I plan to go back this year and do more looting, er, I mean, "researching."

    :)

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  9. Great interview!

    Ummm the most piratish thing i've ever done?

    - I went up north in cali to look for gems. They have this cave mine full of it and they bring parts of it out to the tourist people can hopefully fine a piece of the stone. I found a realllllly tiny one haha.

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  10. Arg, I'm most jealous of Kelly. What I wouldn't give for a little parlay with Capt'n Jack....

    Fab interview, Capt'n. The Better Part of Darkness suits you well. But just so you know, CJ's been stealing your rum. Apparently, she ran out of gin.

    The most piratish thing I've ever done? I told Capt'n Jack that CJ's been stealing his rum, so in revenge, he kidnapped CJ and made her his love-slave, and he forces her to eat lemon bars and drink gin all the time (though he won't let her have a single bit of rum). Poor CJ. I feel kinda bad about that one.

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  11. Awesome interview, CJ and Kelly!

    I visited a pirate cave on Grand Cayman.

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  12. Enjoyed the interview CJ and Kelly! And any picture of Captain Jack is always welcome.
    The most piratish thing I've done-a friend locked a ball and chain on my leg and I had to wander around to all the bars accompanied by drunken pirates.

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  13. Ohh, I went crystal mining in Arkansas too, Kelly! Okay, well, you said you were for diamonds. I guess I'm more low-brow than you. :-)

    But I really like your fav words, 'enthrall,' 'possess', and all that.

    Can't wait for Darkest Edge of Dawn!

    And Trish, being a Bandita totally has built-in piratical-ness. :-)

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  14. This was an awesome interview! Many thanks to Kelly and Capt'n Jack. I must add this book to my TBR pile that continues to grow faster than I can read these days.

    LOVE the cupcake!

    Hmm...most piratish thing I've done. Is it too late to enter this? You know I'm a night owl. LOL Okay, most piratish thing I've done is snatching the gold while drinking PYRAT rum! HA!

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  15. I bogarted the keys to my friend's car and took it down the street, then pretended like it had been stolen. It was all a diversionary tactic to allow for the right car to slip out of harbor.

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  16. Tis a preeeettty cupcake.

    And I think Jack is my favorite interviewer.

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  17. Having fun reading all these! Meant to stick around more yesterday but had a second sick kid on my hands...Oy.

    Thanks to everyone for stopping by and reading the interview! :D

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  18. Great interview. Most piratish thing I've ever done is searching for treasure on the beach with a metal detector.

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  19. Kelly,

    Thank you for sharing the interview with Captain Jack! Twas the highlight of my day! You think I am just kidding....took a break from my Sr MIS project to read it!!!

    Also, thank you for the Better Part of Darkness. I read it as soon as it was released and am waiting patiently (not!) for the Better Part of Dawn! I have read the 1st book 3 times.

    As far the the most pirate thing I have done....I have dove (scuba) on almost every wreck in and around the Bermuda Triangle. Looking for treasure, matey! Although I have not found any treasure (gold, bobbles, and such) I have found some nice pieces of pottery and color glass bottles while on these dives!

    Waiting for the next installment...

    Your fan

    Lin

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