Bio: Alice Quinn lives in York, England. After watching a fire demon kill her mother, she moved in with her aunt, half-brother Julian, and super-hot alpha werewolf, Ethan Jefferies. Before the death of her mother, Sophie Quinn, Alice was your average human, working in a deli and dreaming of a better life. Things have changed, if supernatural creatures aren’t trying to kill her, they’re determined to control her—in the name of keeping her safe.
How would you say life has
changed since your superpowerswereactivated?
“You sound like my best friend, Polly Palmer. Let me tell you, buddy, there is nothing super about being a Vampwitch. If someone’s not trying to kill me, they’re taking over my life. The other day, I helped Pol get a family heirloom back. Talk about overreacting, my brother Julian walks into the pub while Pol and I are celebrating our achievement, all moody vampire, and starts having a go at me. I mean, I left a note on the fridge, but apparently that’s not good enough because some radical group called MAMS (that’s Magic Against Mixed Species – kind of a dumb unoriginal name if you ask me) want to kill me. Frustrating, that’s what having superpowers is.
You mention your brother, Julian,
how would you describe him?
Controlling, arrogant, unapproachable. You know, vampires are nothing like on TV. They want obedience, no questions asked. Me, I’m a questioning kind of girl. We’re living in the 21st Century, it’s a world full of questions. Julian’s just like his dad, that’s the problem. They both find me challenging, I’m not, there’s just a lot of stuff I need to catch up on. I know nothing about the supernatural world and they’re not helping. Arthur, the grumpy gnome sent by the Seelie King, my grandfather, to spy on me, keeps telling I’m ignorant, not my fault. That’s domineering vampires like Julian and Nathaniel, for you, they like keep me in the dark. I’m not a mushroom, you know, I deserve to know about my heritage. How else am I going to protect myself? It would also shut the over opinionated gnome—real gnomes aren’t like those cute things you see in people’s gardens. They’re a lot meaner, and verbal.
You mention Nathaniel, aren’t you
happy to find out your father is still alive?
But he’s not alive, is he—Nathaniel is dead. Old vampireslike Nathaniel, have lost touch with their emotions, they have no understanding what I’m going through.He’s been around for centuries, and still has no emotional connection to people’s feelings. Nathaniel has these unachievable expectations, and when I don’t comply, I’m the unreasonable one. He walks into my life, and I’m supposed to be, what, happy? You can’t sit on the side-lines with the ‘I didn’t want to activate your powers and put you in danger,’ and expect me to be grateful he’s decided it’s time for him to play dad.Well, you know what, I am in danger, so staying away my whole life so far did me no favours in the end. In Nathaniel’s case, being dead, is an appalling excuse for staying out of his kid’s life.
Okay, so on a lighter note, tell
me about the Alpha of North Yorkshire Pack, Ethan Jefferies?
Ethan and I have a lot in common, we both like to eat vast amounts. It’s our metabolisms, both werewolves and Vampwitches have an extremely high metabolic rate. Unlike everyone else, Ethan understands me, that’s because he takes the time to listen. He’s gorgeous and has the most incredible body… or so my friend Polly says, obviously, I’ve not noticed. Anyway, I went running with his wolf the other day, and I’ve got to tell you, he’s incredible. We had a great time. That’s the thing, there is no awkwardnessbetween me and Ethan’s wolf, we have a deep connection. I’m the only one he lets share his food, that’s a big thing, or so Arthursays. Ethan likes me, I’m just not sure if he likes me like his wolf does. Not that it bothers me, because it doesn’t. I’m just saying is all.
What frightens a Vampwitch?
Other than the fact everyone wants to control me or kill me… being dead. I’m the first of my kind. No one knows if I’ll survive the transition to full vampire, or if I’ll become some crazy killing monster with no conscience. Then they’ll have to kill me for real, and there’s no more Alice Quinn.I’m twenty-five, I don’t fancy ripping people’s hearts out and calling it fun. I’m not a violent person. When Julian asked me if I knew any fighting moves, I showed him my warrior two pose, he didn’t find it funny. But that’s as violent as I like to get, so turning into a monster, brings me out in hives. Not literally.
What does the future look like
for a Vampwitch?
If I survive the death threat, or
don’t turn into a blood craving monster, I want everyone to stop calling me a
Vampwitch and start seeing Alice Quinn again. It’s like I’ve lost my own
identity. Everyone keeps saying I’m special, I’m not, I’m just a woman who
wants to be able to make her own choices and live as normal a life as possible,
without it being a big deal.
Excerpt One:
“You sure that’s him?”
Polly leans over me, “yep, that’s him alright.”
The man doesn’t fit my preconceptions of a thief. Money drips off him. From the expensive cut of his trousers to the confident manner in which he strolls down the street.
Polly’s vibrant red hair flies about her face. I can taste her excitement as it floods her system. Her pink neon leggings clash with her lime-green coat and vivid orange gloves. Not quite the getup for prowling about undetected. It is, however, conservative for Polly.
No one wears colour like Polly Palmer. She’s the vivacious member in the Palmer clan. Her older brother Richard is a lawyer. His jollity left when he hit puberty. Ben is a computer nerd who has a knack for making me feel uneducated. It’s not my fault he talks gibberish.
Polly and I have been friends since nursery. Her fashion sense and easy-going nature haven’t changed at all.She’s a remarkable lady and friend.
“Look at the brazen bugger, Alice.”
Gripped within the soft leather of his gloves is the package containing the stolen antique.
The box might appear plain, but what’s inside will set you back a small fortune.
“Right, remember the plan, and stick to it.” Shadows prevent my stern glare from reaching her.
“I still don’t understand why you can’t just zap him.” My eyes roll at her words.
“Pol, I’m a Vampwitch, not a superhero. I swear you watch too much TV.” Polly flashes her teeth at me.
Six weeks ago, I found out I wasn’t human, thanks to a fire demon called Aeden. For twenty-five years I have been oblivious of the preternatural DNA within my makeup. It’s fair to say I am not dealing well with my newfound knowledge. Deception and lies hurt when uncovered.
Unable to kill me, Aeden, the candy-floss-haired monster, killed my Mum. Grief is a hard emotion. It requires acceptance in order for the person to move on. Time is also a factor, allowing the mind and heart to heal. I am in a place right now which won’t grant either. This, I blame on my father, Nathaniel, and take out on my half-brother, Julian, as he is around more than my father.
Throw in the fact I have little control over my new powers, being part vampire, part witch with a dash of fae isn’t helping the situation. Like I said, lies and deception hurt.
As the first of my kind, no one knows what to expect. I have no desire to wrap my mouth around someone’s neck and suck out their blood. A plus for me. The dormant vampire is awake and its effects on me are startling. I now possess enhanced hearing and sight. And speed and strength. There is also a need to feed on violence and strong emotions, or anything else that increases the tempo of the heart.
The witch stuff I remain uneducated about and unstimulated to find out more. I know it involves a lot of studying.
Mum’s death has changed me. I no longer dream of finding my dad alive and full of regret. Instead, I harbour feelings of resentment and wish he had stayed dead, rather than undead. I now have more relatives than I can shake a bat at, and all have my best interest at heart. It’s an appalling way to say, control you.
My tears hadn’t dried on my face when Nathaniel, Julian, and Mum’s sister Dot, informed me of my lack of humanity (supernatural birthright).
As the only daughter of a single parent, with no relatives taking them for trips to the ice-cream van or park, I find my present situation overwhelming and unwelcome.
The time for additional family sailed with Noah and his arc.
What puzzles me is their reaction to my unenthusiastic response and open hostility. They were ill-prepared for my anger when I found out the truth. Their confusion at my emotional discord leaves me baffled. What did they expect?
My attitude isn’t helping my relationship with my brother, Julian.
As a master vampire, he’s used to obedience and hates the constant challenges I raise.
Announcing my supernatural status to my best friend, sent him into a frenzy of frustrated anger. How was I supposed to know that ‘not telling anyone’ also included Polly? We share everything.
To maintain family life balance, as we all live at Roseley, Julian and I have reached a mutual understanding by agreeing to disagree.
“Your eyes are sparkling green and gold fire.” Polly’s words yank me back to the present.
“Sorry, I was thinking.”
“You know what I’ve told you about that. It’s dangerous.”
“Hm…”
Polly’s sense of humour and breezy outlook never alters. Julian will lock us up in separate cages if he finds out we’re prowling the streets with a death threat hanging over my head.
Polly nudges me. “It would be good if you could zap him.”
“Even Vampwitches have their limitations, Pol.”
“It wouldn’t happen to Supergirl.”
“What about kryptonite?”
“She can still zap.”
Mr Hobson Solicitor is inching closer. “Hm… right, time to go.”
Polly grabs my arm as I move out from the shadows.
“Be careful, Alice.”
I flash her a toothy smile. “I might be no superhero, but I’ve got some awesome moves.”
Running at a speed too quick for human eyes, I make a beeline for the thief. We collide, hitting the rain-soaked floor. The guy groans as I let out a scream of surprise – playing the part of the unsuspecting victim. The solicitor is on top, so there’s no argument of whom ran into whom.
“What happened?” His voice is like velvet, a good reassuring quality for a man in his profession.
You walked into me stupid! is what I want to say.
Instead, I let a flicker of a smile cross my lips, my brows furrowing. “I think you tripped us up.”
I arch my eyebrows, wondering when he’s going to move, so I can get off the damp stones. The hat I’d been wearing is dancing across the cobbles, and I am blinded by a mass of black curls, as the wind plays with my waist-length hair.
A flicker of surprise lights his face. “Sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“Well, I was there. Large as life.” My arms float in the air and I sound grumpy. “If you don’t mind moving so I can get up.” Dampness is soaking through my coat into my jeans, causing me to shiver.
Vamps are cold-blooded creatures.
As a living vampire, low-body temperature makes your teeth rattle. Winter is a season of dread and rattling bones.
“Oh! Y- yes sorry.”
Polly slithers from the shadows in exaggerating moves and exchanges the boxes. She throws me a thumbs up, and a big grin, hopping from foot to foot as she disappears down the street.
Thank you for sharing the character interview, synopsis and excerpt, Hunted sounds like a thrilling read and I am looking forward to it
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great read, thanks for sharing!
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