Character Interview: Jake Morris from SHRAPNEL by Stephanie Lawton @EvernightTeen #UpperYA

Welcome back to the blog. Today I have a special treat for you all — an interview with Jake Morris, one of the main characters from Stephanie Lawton’s newest YA release, SHRAPNEL.

Jake is a pretty blunt guy. Just the way I like em, so I’ll forgo the fluff and get right to the questions.

Can you tell us your name and the title of the book you live in? 

I’m Jake Morris, and the book was originally called Surrender, but got changed to Shrapnel.

Describe to our readers your role in the book. 

I’m seventeen, and I guess I’m the romantic underdog. I prefer the term ladies’ man, but whatever. I’m also empathic, so there’s that.

How did you convince your author to put you in this book? For example, did you visit a dream or make yourself known some other way?

Heh, I showed up in the shower. Granted, there were a couple other characters that also showed up, but we all know she likes me best. And may I just say, MILF.

Is your author easy to work with or controlling? 

Who, Steph? She’s awesome. I mean, yeah, she put me through some crappy stuff, but she surrounded me with hot chicks, fed me bacon and gave me some damn hilarious lines in the book. What’s not to love?

Would you tell us about one of your favorite friends from this book? 

Hmm, I guess she’s a friend, though I’d really like more, but her name is Dylan, short for Dylanie. She’s a really cool chick. Hot as hell, but really funny, too, and she knows what she wants. Plus, she slaps me on the ass, so I’m her friend for life.

What would you like our readers to know about you? 

I’m not a complete freak. I mean, yeah, I have these weird abilities, and they sometimes make me do weird things and have epic freak-outs in front of packed movie theaters, but if you put that aside, I’m still a normal guy. I notice when you give me the side-eye or move to the other side of the hall. It hurts and it blows.

Did you learn anything during your adventure in this book?

Holy shit, did I ever! I learned how to … wait, I can’t give that part away. I also learned that girls … crap. I can’t give that away either. Okay, here’s something I can spill. I learned that looks can be deceiving. Oh, and that I love black lace underwear. *grins*

Can you tell us what you think is the most exciting thing that happened to you in your book?

You wouldn’t believe me if I did. You’ll have to read the book.

Introduce us to your main adversary?

Well, in some ways, I’m my own worst enemy, but overall, the guy’s name is Jackson. He’s a ghost from the Civil War that makes all of our lives hell. He hates me because I’m competition for Dylan, plus I know a lot about Civil War history and I’m a major threat to his plans and secrets.

Is there anything you would like to have done but your author stopped you?

Dude, I was in a house with two hot chicks. What do you think? Granted, I really only wanted one of them, but still. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

Here’s your chance to speak your mind. What do you want to tell everybody?

I’m not crazy. Also, I’m a damn good kisser. I read can your emotions so I know if what I’m doing is working or not and adjust. Pretty wicked, right?

Flash questions:

• Craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Freaked out in front of a packed movie theater filled with everyone I know from school, including the girl I was crushing on. I don’t remember it, but they said I jumped over a couple rows of seats before I fell down the stairs.

• Biggest regret?
  

I let things go too far at the end of the book. I should have stepped in way earlier and not let Dylan do what she did.

• If you were to get a tattoo, what would it be, where, and why?

Hmm, when I turn eighteen I’d like to start some sleeves. On one arm I’d get representations of all the emotions I get from people, and on the other arm, I’d put representations of all the ways I’m able to help them. You know, like fear on one arm, and a guiding hand on the other. Or love on one arm, and two hearts joined on the other. Pretty mushy, huh?

• Favorite book?
  

The Complete Poems of Christina Rosetti

• Someone asks you to go skydiving. What’s your answer?
  

Oh, hell yeah!

• If they were to name a crayon color after you, what would it be?
  

Emo Orange

• Were you easy or hard to write?
  

Easy. I’m the guy version of her.

• Absolute worst thing you’ve ever done?

I scared the crap out of my parents. I didn’t mean to, but they didn’t know what was wrong with me or how to fix it. I think they lost a lot of sleep and my mom totally dyes her hair to cover the gray. (She’s going to kill me for telling you that!)

• Detail about yourself that’s not in your book?

I kick ass at Guitar Hero.

There ya have it. Thanks so much Jake. If the ladies weren’t interested in you before, they sure are now.

If you want to get your hands on a copy of SHRAPNEL, here are the BUY Links:

• Amazon (Kindle); Amazon (paperback)
• Barnes and Noble (paperback)
• Evernight Teen
• All Romance ebooks (digital)
• CreateSpace (paperback)

Character Interview: Jem Stonehouse — Darkness and Light by J.A. Belfield

As I promised earlier this week, we have a special guest on the blog today. I managed to fenagle a visit from Jem Stonehouse — one of the illustrious main characters from J.A. Belfield’s new novel, Darkness and Light and I am quite excited about it. *wiggles*

So without further ado, please welcome Jem Stonehouse to the blog.

First off, Jem, how are you adjusting to pack life? All happy and blissful?

Adjusting to living with the pack was made easy by them, and yeah I’m happy. As happy as I’ve ever been. But blissful? You forget I have to live with Ethan.

*laughing*  Fair enough. Let’s dive right in with the questions then, shall we?

Sure.

When did you first realize that there may be something quite different about you? Was that before or after the dreams started?

Define different. You mean, like dreaming about werewolves chasing me from the age of seven? I’d always dreamed of them, they just didn’t resonate with me until Sean’s presence showed up.

Though the sniffing issue being a problem for others’ did tip me off that that wasn’t quite normal.

*chuckling* After Peter’s first “attack” on you, why didn’t you leave him? What prompted you to stay and stick it out?

Commitment and loyalty are important to me. It would have been hypocritical of me if I didn’t practice them myself.

What did you think the first moment you saw Sean in the diner? Was there a feeling of the familiar?

The instant I laid eyes on him, some bizarre tingle hit the back of my skull. Although it was the most … weird situation, the sense of déjà vu was too powerful for me to disbelieve him when he said he was Sean. Besides, no one else could have known that name would trigger a reaction, besides me, Poppy and Jess.

If you had only one word to describe Sean, what would it be? What about Ethan (who happens to be my my personal favorite)?

Sean … um … one word? Seriously? Then, I guess it would have to be … elixir.


Ethan, on the other hand … I’d have to peg him as mighty. As in mighty strong … mighty mouth … you get the picture.

How do you feel about Josh’s apparent crush on you? Does it bother Sean?

Josh has a crush on me? Where on earth did you get that idea? Of course he doesn’t—I’m way too old for him.

Have you really accepted Nathan’s “fairy tale” at this point or is it still sinking in?

There’s still some part of my subconscious that pauses and asks: is this all real? Is this all possible? Because I’m really not all that special. I’m just me.

What is next for the pack? Any big plans? Wedding bells perhaps, or maybe a pup? Would it be considered a pup or is that being rude?

Goodness me, it’s a little early to be thinking about bambinos. And as for wedding plans? I’d have to be proposed to first. And who knows what goes on inside Sean’s mind?

If you have to pick one trait of Sean’s that you love the most, what would it be? The one you like the least?

His protectiveness is his trait I love the most, whilst his possessiveness is the trait I like the least, which results in a real pickle because I doubt Sean could ever provide one without the other—to him, they’re probably both seen as the same thing: an incessant need to keep his mate safe.

What is your favorite part about being a werewolf? (Besides Sean)

Cue sigh here.


The total and utter feeling of freedom. The power in my limbs. The connection with nature that comes as standard. The way every instinct instills itself in my brain as though they were just waiting for the command to arrive from dormancy. The equality and unity amongst the pack.


Need I go on?

What part of the werewolf life has been the hardest to adjust to?

Oh … I don’t know. That’s a tough one. I guess I’d have to say the changes—because although the hunt awaits me on the other side, I still have to go through hell first to get there.

What’s your favorite color? Sean’s favorite color?

Chocolate brown is mine. And you’d only have to take a look around Sean’s bedroom to figure out he has a fondness for sapphire blue.

If you were a tree, which would you be and why?

I’d like to say oak because of its regal-ness and the way they mature and have such ownership of pride with age. But I’m probably more of a silver birch—put me amongst all the others in the forest and I stick out like a sore thumb.

Any regrets about your decision to join the pack (or Sean)?

None! Whatsoever! How could have I have when I feel as though I’ve finally come home?

I am sure there are lots of ladies out there interested in finding their own “Sean”. Any advise you can give the readers with respect to finding their soul mates?

Quit looking for him. He’ll find you just as soon as the time’s right. After all, fate refuses to be manipulated—surely you know that?

See this post for my July review of Darkness and Light: REVIEW

J.A Belfield’s debut novel, Darkness and Light (J. Taylor Publishing 2011) is available in print and ebook from both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. For more from the Halloway pack, check out Instinct and Fated Encounter — two new novellas by J. A. Belfield (Coming soon. Also from J. Taylor Publishing)

Upcoming Character Interview: Jem Stonehouse of Darkness and Light

Hello Readers and Review Followers:

I just wanted to take a quick second to announce that I will be doing a character interview next week with Jem Stonehouse, one of the main characters in the recently released novel, Darkness and Light by JA Belfield.

I am in the process of compiling my questions for Ms. Stonehouse and thought I would throw out the announcement (to see if any readers have taken my recommendation and read the book — just kidding!) and see if any of you had questions you wanted me to ask Jem when I sit down with her to ask my own burning questions.