The idea is simple: 3 days, 3 different character profiles/interviews, 1 great author. So throughout this week (today, tomorrow, and Friday), you'll have a chance to really get to know three major characters from Cindy Borgne's YA/Sci-fi Vallar Series.
Hope y'all enjoy!
The Heroes & Villains of Vallar, Pt 1
(Author Note: These interviews take place between books 1 and 2)
Character Name: Kayla Merceir
Hero or Villain: Hero
What do you regret? My mother passed away recently, and I regret not having spent more time with her.
What makes you happy? I get some small enjoyment out of drawing or playing with my dog, and I know this is going to sound bleak, but not much has made me real happy lately. I feel unsatisfied with just about everything. My people for example we’re just stuck and not making any real progress. Our ancestors came to Mars to find a way to reach Hinun an Earth-like planet. We’ve made no real progress thanks to all the years of war.
Do you have a hero? I know this will sound silly, but Ian is my hero. He risked his life to escape Marscorp. Admiral Beacon was a menace to our people, but they don’t know Ian is the one who killed him.
Read more about Kayla in The Seer of Mars, Vallar book1!
At sixteen, Ian Connors happens to be the secret weapon of a powerful military faction bent on conquering all humans who have colonized Mars. His job is to use his psychic ability to uncover secrets or hidden bases of other factions. Ian not only uncovers a valuable hidden mine through his visions, but also Kayla, a woman he sees himself with in the future. The only problem is she's on the enemy side.
Ian heads out into a battle to save Kayla. Instead, he discovers the death and destruction his visions can bring when in the wrong hands. Ian vows to never let anyone use him again. His goal is to escape and live in peace, but his superiors monitor him closely and defectors are known to mysteriously disappear. Deep down, he longs to be with Kayla. Despite his age, inexperience and few allies, he refuses to give up. He must outwit a cunning admiral and save Kayla from his own people or he will remain a pawn and forever separated from those he loves.
Cindy Borgne lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with her two kids and one stubborn, yet somehow lovable basset hound. She has worked a freelance editor, web-designer and computer instructor.
Prior to Vallar being published, Cindy won an honorable mention for short fiction from Writer's Digest. Her short story "ThunderSnow" was chosen as an editor's pick at Eloquent Stories. In 2011, Seer of Mars was a finalist in the Readers' Favorite contest.
Connect with Cindy Borgne: Blog/Facebook/Twitter
Two shape shifters compete with each other by imitating humans in difficult situations. This time they become soldiers and face combat. The loser is the first to give up and convert back into shifter form. Adelya impersonates a male soldier and grows tired of the game, but she does not want to lose again. When her platoon is attacked, a soldier's courage shows her there is more to being human than she realized. Soon she falls in love with him and is faced with a choice between an immortal existence or being with the man she loves.
TransShifter is a fantasy light romance.
This novelette is 11,500 words long. (52 pages in paperback)
Who are you? I’m Kayla Merceir. I’ve been a spy and a Jr. Diplomat, but now I’m biosphere engineer.
Where do you live? I live on Mars at the mine, which is located in the Noctis Labyrinthus. Here we mine for platinum and sell it to an Earth organization to gain important supplies. Mostly miners live here in small rooms. I’ve been here for a while working on a new biosphere. This will make it possible for the miners to live in homes, which will be inside a contained area, simulating an Earth-like environment.
Do you have any special talents: I’m an artist. Mostly, I draw pictures of Earth-like oceans and tropical paradises. I have to go by what’s in our databanks because I’ve never seen Earth.
What are you afraid of? I’m afraid of having a relationship with Ian Connors and something going wrong. You see, two years ago, my fiancé was killed in battle. I find it hard to get close to someone again in fear of losing them. What makes it worse is that Ian is wanted by Marscorp for killing their admiral. Plus he’s a psychic and I just don’t know what is going to happen to him. But I care about him.
What is your problem in the story? Ian has a vision of our people being destroyed by Marscorp, so I’m helping him to stop this war.
How do your enemies, these Marcs, see you? I was once a spy within their walls, so I’m on their kill list, but they don’t know what happened to me.
Do you have any special talents: I’m an artist. Mostly, I draw pictures of Earth-like oceans and tropical paradises. I have to go by what’s in our databanks because I’ve never seen Earth.
What are you afraid of? I’m afraid of having a relationship with Ian Connors and something going wrong. You see, two years ago, my fiancé was killed in battle. I find it hard to get close to someone again in fear of losing them. What makes it worse is that Ian is wanted by Marscorp for killing their admiral. Plus he’s a psychic and I just don’t know what is going to happen to him. But I care about him.
What is your problem in the story? Ian has a vision of our people being destroyed by Marscorp, so I’m helping him to stop this war.
How do your enemies, these Marcs, see you? I was once a spy within their walls, so I’m on their kill list, but they don’t know what happened to me.
What do you regret? My mother passed away recently, and I regret not having spent more time with her.
What makes you happy? I get some small enjoyment out of drawing or playing with my dog, and I know this is going to sound bleak, but not much has made me real happy lately. I feel unsatisfied with just about everything. My people for example we’re just stuck and not making any real progress. Our ancestors came to Mars to find a way to reach Hinun an Earth-like planet. We’ve made no real progress thanks to all the years of war.
Do you have a hero? I know this will sound silly, but Ian is my hero. He risked his life to escape Marscorp. Admiral Beacon was a menace to our people, but they don’t know Ian is the one who killed him.
Read more about Kayla in The Seer of Mars, Vallar book1!
Ian heads out into a battle to save Kayla. Instead, he discovers the death and destruction his visions can bring when in the wrong hands. Ian vows to never let anyone use him again. His goal is to escape and live in peace, but his superiors monitor him closely and defectors are known to mysteriously disappear. Deep down, he longs to be with Kayla. Despite his age, inexperience and few allies, he refuses to give up. He must outwit a cunning admiral and save Kayla from his own people or he will remain a pawn and forever separated from those he loves.
About the Author:
Cindy Borgne lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with her two kids and one stubborn, yet somehow lovable basset hound. She has worked a freelance editor, web-designer and computer instructor.
Prior to Vallar being published, Cindy won an honorable mention for short fiction from Writer's Digest. Her short story "ThunderSnow" was chosen as an editor's pick at Eloquent Stories. In 2011, Seer of Mars was a finalist in the Readers' Favorite contest.
Connect with Cindy Borgne: Blog/Facebook/Twitter
Want to check out some of Cindy's work for free?
TransShifter is a fantasy light romance.
This novelette is 11,500 words long. (52 pages in paperback)
Posts
That really sets up a lot of conflict for Kayla!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! Really cool way to showcase a book, too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, EJ. I like how you've introduced all facets of the novel, Kayla's character, likes, dislikes, and her struggles. Very appealing theme. Fits nicely with the Hunger Games type of story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me on your blog this week, EJ.
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot. Kayla is a great character. I'm glad I got to meet her. And you, Cindy.
ReplyDeleteHi, E.J.!
Hi Wesley and Cindy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool concept for seeing Cindy's work! Now I want to read Seer Mars.
I think I've downloaded one of her books and it waits in my queue.
ReplyDeleteLove the Character Closeup - great idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to get to know a character! Congratulations, Cindy!
ReplyDelete