Shiloh: Okay, so after doing uh… I think four guest blogs, a Dear Reader letter, and I dunno how many other things trying to promote Through the Veil, I’ve run out of ideas on what to talk about.
Then I had a brilliant idea slightly different idea-instead of talking about the book, or letting people ask me about the book… I’d let people talk to one of the characters in the book.
Kalen Brenner
He’s a soldier forced to lead an army in a war they can’t possibly win. Their one hope lies with a woman who doesn’t even know he exists.
If he can’t get through to her, he doesn’t have a chance in hell of winning this war.
Getting through to her turns out to be the easy part. Keeping her alive is going to be a little harder.
So there’s Kalen in a nutshell. But I came up with some questions—
Kalen: The hell you did. You went and cheated. Can’t even think of a damn question to ask me?
Shiloh: (Long suffering sigh.) Fine. I didn’t come up with the questions-I asked some people who’d read the book already.
Kalen: I don’t see why you want to ask me questions anyway. You created me. Don’t you already know what’s in my head?
Shiloh: (narrowing eyes and tapping foot) You know, considering that I created you, you could show me a little more respect than this. You run roughshod over what I want to do with the book—
Kalen: (smirking) Well, it is MY story.
Shiloh: (quietly) Jerk.
Kalen: Laughter
Shiloh: Can we get on with this?
Kalen: I’m all ears, madam.
Shiloh: Okay, easy questions first…boxers or briefs?
Kalen: (grins) I could tell you. But then Lee would kill you. Then me.
Shiloh: (Rolling eyes) I know the answer to that, anyway. He goes commando but that’s because he’s usually in too big a hurry to mess with anything not utterly necessary.
Kalen: If you already knew the answer—
Shiloh: Can we get on with this? Okay, so tell me, do you remember much of life before the war?
The smile on his face dies. He looks sad, tired as he sits up straighter and rubs his hands over his face. I’m almost sorry I asked.
Kalen: No. Not usually. There was a time when I was a kid when things weren’t always life or death. When I could just think and it would activate the thought-sense trigger on the prep-unit and I had a snack ready in a few seconds. I can remember Mom singing to me-her dancing with Dad. But then the raids came more often. He died. And…
(Kalen closes his eyes)
And everything just collapsed. He died and it was like it all went straight to hell. Maybe things had already been hell and he just kept me from seeing it. I don’t know.
Shiloh: I’m sorry.
Kalen: Me, too.
Shiloh: About Lee-when did you know she wasn’t…well…normal?
Kalen: (manages a wry smile) I don’t know if I know what normal is. But I knew there was something weird about her from day one. She was just a kid—appeared out of nowhere. Saved my life. Then she was gone.
Shiloh: Once you figured it out, did you ever think about leaving your world, trying to get through the veil and join her in her world?
Kalen: (those eyes of his flash like lightning-burning hot) This is her world. But go there? Someplace safe? Someplace where things seem a little less dangerous? (he shrugs) No. For one, I couldn’t. I don’t have that ability. For another—I’m needed here. I couldn’t leave these people.
(he leans forward, his black hair falling over one shoulder, a bitter smile curling his lips) I know what you want to ask. And it doesn’t matter that staying here means I would end up dead. That’s changed now, but even if it hadn’t, it wouldn’t change things. I love Lee—she’s my life. But what kind of man would I be if I walked away from people who need me? People who are willing to die to protect their world? If I walk away from them—I don’t deserve them. I wouldn’t deserve her.
Shiloh: (smiling—somehow, I knew he’d answer like that) I’ve had a couple of questions about Morne. Don’t suppose you want to tell us anything…?
Kalen: (scowling) Exactly what should I tell you? He knows how to handle himself in battle. He’s handy to have around when people have their heads busted or a bone smashed.
(Then he smirks) He sure is pretty, though. Or at least the women think so.
Shiloh: Ever so tired of everything that you just want to chuck it all and just stay in bed?
Kalen: Almost every day.
Shiloh: When did you lose your innocence?
Kalen: (he starts to laugh)
Shiloh: (narrowing eyes, trying not to blush) Wrong innocence, pal. And I know the answer to that one…give me a hard time here and I’ll let Lee know the answer, too.
Kalen: (makes attempt to hide his smirk with his hand) Hey, don’t blame me. You’re the one who asked.
Shiloh: Men! Come on, Kalen. I’m talking about the war. When did your innocence die?
Kalen: When my dad died. (Shrugs) You lose a parent, it kills something inside you. Mom died not too long after—Raviners got her. I saw it. There is no innocence after you see that.
Shiloh: I’m bringing up bad memories.
Kalen: The memories are there, no matter what. Not asking doesn’t change it. Besides… (he starts to smile and it’s the first real smile I’ve seen from him today) now I’ve got a chance to make some of my own memories—ones that don’t involve strategy, planning, stockpiling food or defending the front line. I’ve got a chance at a life now.
Do you have a question for Kalen or Shiloh? Now is your chance to ask!
Thanks to the following folks for helping put Kalen in the hot seat
Jordan Summers
Lora Leigh
Anne
Jambrea
Shiloh is holding a scavenger hunt and you can find the info here. She’s offering up some great prizes:
- One $50 GC to Barnes & Noble
- One $15 GC to Barnes & Noble
- One $10 GC to Mybookstoreandmore.com
And we will have another nifty contest on Friday @ TGTBTU. Comments in this thread will be entered (put noenter@gmail.com if you don’t want to be). And don’t forget to read ShannonC’s review of Through the Veil here.
Shi,
How goes it? I don’t feel qualified to comment because I have not finished the book, but so far so good! : ) So my question is: are you planning any more stories about this world?
I am lovin’ all the excerpts that I’ve read so far, and just ordered this book today!
I totally second Shawna’s question about more from this world. I’m a little more then half way through the book and I’m throughly enjoying it, if a little annoyed that Lee is having such a hard time realizing where she belongs. Kalen is great and I’m looking forward to getting off work to day and finding out how the book ends.
Thanks for creating such an interesting new world for us to visit.
What is your favorite thing about Lee physically? How about mentally?
Also, if you could have a week alone with her in a safe place, what would you do?
I’ve been looking through all my local bookstores trying to find your books, and none of them have any. How am I supposed to support local businesses if they don’t carry what I need??? Damn it! Amazon it is, and even though it is located here in Seattle, somehow I don’t think it needs my support. I’ve had so many people recommend you and I’m looking forward to reading your books!
Yay, questions!!! *rubbing hands gleefully*
Okay–Kalen, what would you want to be if you hadn’t ever had to be a soldier? Teacher? Opera singer? sidewalk chalk artist? Plumber? (don’t look at me like that–I’m curious!)
What bugs you about Lee? what, if anything, would you change about her?
How did you like the way Shiloh portrayed you? Did she miss any of your good points? Bad points?
Possibly! Depends on how well this is received and if the ‘voices’ keep talking to me.
Cathy M, hope you like it when you get it!
Thanks & you’re welcome. Regarding Lee’s acceptance…it’s coming. She was just taken from everything she knew and forced to accept a whole new life in a very short amount of time. Had to work her away up to it or just go nuts. 😉 She already thinks she’s there anyway.
I’m trying to convince Kalen–
Kalen: Convince hell. I thought you were done with this.
(ignore him. He’s a grouch)
Kalen: Hell, look who’s talking.
(better hurry this up or he’s going to bail) Kalen…
(He’s grinning now…man, we might regret asking this…)
Kalen: Hey, I don’t kiss and tell. Favorite thing physically? All the inches from the top of her head down to her feet. Mentally…that she was able to accept this, that she was strong enough to leave the safety of her home for this madness. A week-not long enough. And I’ll let you use your imagination for some of it. But I’d like to try and find someplace that’s still some kind of normal, show her what our world used to be like. What it will be like again, now that we’ve won. Or mostly won.
Kalen: What in the hell is an opera singer? A teacher…no. I don’t have the patience for it. Probably would have still gone the soldier route. Just wouldn’t have had to fight this war,
What bugs me about Lee-tell you what, you spend five minutes with the woman before she’s had some caffeine in the morning and you’ll know the answer to that.
And I wouldn’t change anything. She’s beautiful. She’s stubborn-but she’s had to be. She’s arrogant, but probably needs to be to deal with me. She’s…well, she’s perfect. For me.
Don’t ask me about Shiloh. I surprised the two of us didn’t kill each other during that mess. Although she ended up more irritated with Morne than me. Now he is a man I’m surprised is still alive. I thought for sure Shiloh would kill him.
Heh. Kalen, Kalen, Kalen. You are one hunky man and I enjoyed yours and Lee’s story. Do you prefer to call your love, Lee or Leila? What kind of foods do you eat – I don’t remember reading about cows or anything so I’m assuming no meat? And wouldn’t you love to try a piece of cheesecake? Oh man. Yum. I like Morne. I don’t think you should frown when people ask questions about him. I think he needs a lifemate, don’t you? Let’s get Shiloh to write his story. Work on it, Kalen. Okay? Thanks! 🙂
Somebody got Kalen worked up with that question about a week alone with Lee. I think he’s now on some sort of honeymoon. :-O
Nah, there are other food sources besides veg in Ishtan, they just don’t always have the reliable ways of keeping meats and such ‘fresh’ since they focus most of of their tech on the war.
And daggone it, Anne, every time somebody asks Kalen about Morne, he scowls.
Like it’s my fault! Men.
I think we should ask him WHY he scowls so when he’s asked about Morne. The minute he comes up for air (heh) make him answer my questions. Tell him I am NOT a patient person. *G*
Neither is he, Anne. And I can tell you why. He’s still ticked at Morne. 😉
As I said… MEN.
GASP. Though I suppose I can see why he’d be upset. But still… Morne is lonely. He need some lovin’ too. heh.
LOL. I’ll make sure to pass the message on to Kalen, Anne.
Kewl interview. 🙂 So when are you going to continue the Mythe story, huh huh huh?
It’s a work in progress. Just sllllloooowwww progress.
But Jenny, I get the feeling you’ll really like Veil. 🙂
crap! After reading this, I wish that stories with Demons didn’t scare the crap out of me and that my hubby didn’t work 3rd shift~no way am I reading a book with demons when the hubby is gone at night and we live in the country~~cornfield behind the house (what IS is with cornfields and horror movies anyway?!)
*sigh*
Well, I can honestly tell you there are no cornfields. And, dunno if this helps or hurts, but I did keep the scenes with the demons down-there’s another ‘group’ of bad guys that take more page time than the demons. 😉 You could always try picking it up and reading it while you two are on vacation or something.
But I don’t wanna be responsible for nightmares either.
What a wonderful interview. I LOVE it. 🙂
– I agree Anne
I second… third… whatever many–the motion: Morne needs some loving!
There’s a thought. . . . .
I still want to know why so many horror movies have cornfields in them?! LOL
Corn is tall and moves weirdly even with the softest of breezes–which makes it really easy to imagine that all sorts of weird/awful/horrific things are slithering through it…
Just don’t go having more nightmares on my account, pretty please?
makes sense. Since I grew up around corn fields I always thought it was pretty not creepy. hmmmm I’ll still think it’s pretty=no nightmares! LOL
Ah but how many filmmakers who make horror movies grew up around cornfields? I’m guessing most are city dwellers 😀
I am loving all I have read about this book I am supposed to go to the bookstore next week and this is on the top of my TBB list. I love the unique plot.
Have to get this, especially after meeting Kalen here, great interview.
Morne is a possible.
I won’t say yes.
But he isn’t saying no.
So that means… possibly. 😉
Corn fields ARE pretty… i’ve always thoughts so. Not exactly a country person, but not much for the big city, soooooo….
For those who haven’t picked it up, if you do give it a try, I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Ok this book is now at the top of my TBR list lol
I agree Ashley. I can’t wait to read this one.