I’m happy to be part of the blog tour for release of Rebirth by Amy Brock McNew.

There will be links at the end of the post, directing you to awesome things such as the Facebook launch party and the next stop on the tour.

But first, I have an interview to conduct.

This isn’t your ordinary interview. Instead of putting the author in the spotlight, we’re going to get the rundown on some key characters in Amy’s book.

A quick snippet about each, before we get to the good stuff.

Liz has a fun-loving, joking side that can get her in trouble. She has a huge issue with anger and is stubborn and strong-willed. She’s an empathetic person, and feels out of place and uncomfortable with “normal” people. A natural fighter that would gladly give her life for those she loves, she’s a tomboy with girlie moments.

Ryland (Ry) loves to have things planned. As a warrior, he has no difficulty with being the one to take care of the dirty work so that others can live in peace. Faith, loyalty, trust, and honor are integral to him. The type who will always have your back. A man of action, loving and gentle, but also stubborn to the point of being dogmatic.

Arie is a Seraphim, a warrior angel, yet he has a soft spot he’s not afraid to reveal. He doesn’t get human humor and is highly demonstrative with his emotion. Elaboration is not one of his strengths.

Chammu’el the Seraphim is devoted to his charge, Ryland, and quite protective. He’s extremely quiet, with no discernible sense of humor. All business. All war.

An Interview with the Cast

Me: If you could see one current band or singer in concert, who would it be?

Liz: Tremonti! No, Red. Wait. Can I pick more? One’s too hard.

Ry: Yeah, she has a hard time settling on one choice. (He’s not laughing. Liz glares.) My choice? Zac Brown.

Arie: What is a concert? (Trips over the word.)

Chammu’el: (Silent. Arms crossed over chest. Looks ticked and kind of scary.)

Me: What’s one thing wrong in the world that makes your blood boil?

Ryland: (Jaw tightens) Human trafficking.

Liz: (Nods her head, looks like she wants to say something but doesn’t.)

Arie: The way humans treat one another. Such hatred.

Chammu’el: Not making the most of the time given you. (Giving the impression he believes this to be a waste of time.)

Me: If the four of you played poker, who would win?

Liz: Ry. He’s good at keeping secrets. Great poker face. (She snorts.)

Ry: (Looks pained.) Lizzy, really. I—

Liz: (Holds a hand up) Not here. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. (Rubs her temples.) But my answer is still Ry. He always wins at cards.

Arie: I do not know what this poker is. Do you play with sticks?

Chammu’el: The young ones should be training.

Me: Is a soft drink called pop or soda?

Liz and Ry: Coke!

Liz: Then you specify what kind.

(Arie and Chammu’el have wrinkled foreheads. Exchange a curious glance.)

Me: I’ve heard about a situation involving Oreos. Would anyone like to explain?

Liz: Simple. Ry’s an Oreo hog.

Ry: Hey, I bought those for me. I’d already gotten you something.

Liz: Whatever! They were in my house and I’d had a really bad day. I needed chocolate.

Ry: I had to hide the dang things to keep you from eating them all. Then you went and stole them.

Liz: I just took a few. After you’d eaten half the bag.

Ry: Yeah, a bag I never got back. You know I don’t share food.

Liz: Bless your heart. I don’t know why you’re complaining. You ate three cheeseburgers right after that.

Ry: Hey, I’m a—

Liz: I know, a growing boy. (She waves him off.)

(Ry grabs her hand. Liz starts to pull away, then clenches him tight.)

Arie: (Tilting his head.) Your protectiveness of food is…odd. There is plenty. (Focuses on Ryland.) Would you not give the first to her? Is that not the way of mates?

Liz: (Goes stiff and slides her hand out of Ry’s. Gets very interested in the pattern on the floor.)

Ry: (Gazes at Liz.) Honestly, I’d give her anything she wanted. Anything I could.

Chammu’el: (Snorts and shocks everyone.) Ryland will eat anything within his reach. She is blessed there was food left. (Everyone’s staring open-mouthed. His face returns to stone as he readjusts in his chair.)

Me: You’re stranded on an island and can only pick one person, living or dead, to be stranded with you. Who do you choose and why?

Liz: Ry.

Ry: Lizzy

(Liz appears shocked she said it aloud. Ry smiles.)

Ry: She’s got my back and I’ve got hers. Always.

(Liz turns red and shifts in her chair. But everyone saw the tiny smile before she squashed it.)

(Arie and Chammu’el exchange another confused glance.)

Me: Suppose you inherited a million dollars. What would you do with it?

Ry: Build a shelter and support a rescue team that gets trafficking victims out. I have what I need. (His eyes lock on Liz.)

Liz: (Meets his gaze, seems entranced.) Yeah. That’s a good plan.

Arie: Who would I inherit this from? (Shakes his head.) Money is of no use to me.

Chammu’el: Are we finished with this nonsense yet?

Me: What’s your idea of the perfect vacation?

Chammu’el: (Stands.) If you will pardon me, I have business. Ryland, arrive for training in one hour. (He nods stiffly to the group and walks out.)

Arie: I too must be on my way. (Turns to interviewer.) Thank you for your…time. (More of a question. Looks at Liz for confirmation. She nods and grins.)

Liz: I’d love to be on the beach somewhere. Anywhere. Long as it’s warm.

Ry: Sounds good. Maybe a private island in the Caribbean? It’d make a great honey—

Liz: Ryland, you promised. (Despite her words, she really seems to like that idea.)

Ry: Sorry. Just thinking ahead.

Liz: Yeah, let’s focus on the mess we have now. We’ve got things to do.

(Interviewer can’t help but notice there’s a lot more to that story.)

Ry: (Sighs.) You’re right.

Thanks to Amy (and the crew) for a fantastic interview. Rebirth releases one week from tomorrow. You can buy it at the following links:

• Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Sm5pNZ
• Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1So45GY
• iBooks: http://apple.co/1So4l8S
• Kobo: http://bit.ly/213uz67

Speaking of links, here are a couple more.

• Facebook Launch Party
• Next stop on the blog tour: book review at http://www.micheleisraelharper.com/

Bio:

Amy Brock McNew doesn’t just write speculative fiction, she lives and breathes it. Exploring the strange, the supernatural, and the wonderfully weird, Amy pours her guts onto the pages she writes, honestly and brutally revealing herself in the process. Nothing is off-limits. Her favorite question is “what if?” and she believes fiction can be truer than our sheltered and controlled realities. Visit AmyBrockMcNew.com to learn more about this intriguing author.

Social Media Links:

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