Twenty-year-old Ward de’Ath expected this to be a simple job—bring a nobleman’s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can’t be a surgeon—the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying—so bringing people back from the dead it is.
But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she’s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can’t bring himself to break his damned physician’s Oath and desert her.
However, nothing is as it seems—including Celia. One second, she’s treating Ward like sewage, the next she’s kissing him. And for a nobleman’s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive…
Thank you to Bewitched Bookworms for inviting me onto your blog to talk about my debut fantasy novel, WARD AGAINST DEATH. I’m excited to be here and I thought for today it would be fun to let my hero, Ward de’Ath, introduce himself.
1. Tell me a little about yourself:
So, ah… a little about myself? Well, I’m Edward de’Ath the fourth, eighth generation necromancer and I’ve been studying to be a physician at the Olmech School of Health and Philosophy in the principality of Bantiana. That ah…didn’t quite turn out how I planned, so now I’m in Brawenal City in the principality of Brawenal ready to carry on the fantastic family business of necromancy.
2. What is your job and how did you come to do that?
I’m a necromancer; that means I help people find closure and work to maintain the balance between life and death. I love that I can help people by giving them a chance to have a final goodbye with their loved ones. It’s a simple spell, a wake, where the recently deceased is woken for fifteen minutes. I wish it could be more, but the spell doesn’t work that way, and really, bringing someone back for longer disrupts the balance and terrible things can happen. What I really wish is to prevent the deaths in the first place, but that career option isn’t… well, it isn’t an option.
3. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Reading and studying. I love learning new things, particularly about medicine and history and languages and science and— I like to read a lot. I can’t wait until I make a name for myself as a necromancer in Brawenal. The Prince of Brawenal had one of the best libraries in the Union of Principalities before it burned down. But it’s rumored he’s been working tirelessly to restore it. Once I’m recognized as a necromancer of significance, I really hope he invites me to see his library. Maybe even ask me to suggest books to fill out his collection.
4. Favorite indulgence?
A nice merlot. There’s a great vintner in West Yarbon by the Olotheal boarder who makes the most amazing wines.
5. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
Don’t tell anyone, but I really don’t think the Goddess intended the human body to be a secret. I know it’s blasphemy, but lives can be saved. There are illnesses that people don’t have to die from. I’ve done some research (and yes, by research I mean performed necropsies) and leaned so much. I just wish it wasn’t illegal.
6. You go through some pretty big challenges in Ward Against Death. Which one would you say was the biggest?
Understanding Celia. She’s absolutely amazing and beautiful and not at all like any noblewoman I’ve met. Of course, she’s also an assassin and has probably thought of killing me and disposing of my body somewhere where no one will ever find it. Yet, I see good in her. This hasn’t been an easy time for her. Everything she’s known has been turned upside down and she doesn’t know who she can trust… except for me. I think she knows she can trust me.
7. And finally, everyone’s dying to know, are you involved in a romance?
No… Yes… Maybe? She’s complicated.Thanks for joining me! Today the hero of my novel WARD AGAINST DEATH chatted with us. If you could interview a fictional character who would it be and what would you ask them?
Wow.,, that was fun!
Giveaway Time!!
(*insert some jungles here*)
1 paperback copy of Ward Against Death!
- Leave a comment – easy peasy..
- and answer Melanie’s question: If you could interview a fictional character who would it be and what would you ask them?
- and… why not follow Melanie on twitter and facebook and let her know you enjoyed this interview? And.. If you do I give you an extra entry 🙂
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Who would I interview and what would I ask? I would love to interview Harry Potter and ask him if he regretted anything in his journey. Of course part of me wants to interview Cat and Bones from Jeaniene Frost's night huntress series on how to keep the spark alive in relationships (since theirs seems so steamy).
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If I could interview any fictional character? I'd probably interview Firesong k'Treva and ask him if he knows what "humility" means. :p Seriously, though, it's hard to answer that question. There are so many characters and so many questions I'd love to ask them, stupid things like, "What's your favourite food?" to more serious things like, "What's it like to live the kind of life you do, and do you ever regret it?" I think I'd have to make an entire list!
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Goodness – that's a hard one. There are so many. OK, got one. I'd pick Jace Wayland and we'd just have a staring contest. What would I ask him, probably for a kiss 🙂 HeHe:)
Good reading ~ Escape by Fiction 🙂
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Anne: Great choices and great questions. I've been wondering if Harry regretted anything about his journey, too. Some good people died in his defense. That's a pretty heavy weight to carry.
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🙂 I haven't read that name in ages! I may have to go back to my Mercedes Lackey books and have a read-a-thon.
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lol. Whoever blinks first must kiss. I like your interview technique.
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Great interview, Mel. Who would I interview? I can't pick. There are just too many great characters out there from Percy Jackson to Elizabeth Bennet. I would probably ask them what did their author not put in the book that they wished the readers knew about them. (grin)
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Ah, a nice merlot… good taste!
Good luck, Melanie!
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Great interview, Ward and Melanie! Ward, you sound like a fascinating guy. 🙂 Gosh, I wish I could think of just one fictional character I'd like to interview, but there are so many intriguing ones. Congrats, Melanie, on your debut book. It sounds like a winner to me.
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I really liked this book! I hope we get to see more of Ward and Celia soon. 🙂
As far as who I would interview, hm..right now I'm thinking Reth from Paranormalcy/Supernaturally because I need to know more about the prophecy and all of the things he's being cagey about. But I think it would end up being more like an interrogation because Reth isn't particularly forthcoming and I'd probably need to borrow Evie's taser to help move things along.
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I'm so loving Ward! Great interview.
I'm with Cate – WAY to many I'd love to interview. The one that stand out though, is:
ET (You know, if I could speak ET) WHY Reese Pieces?! There are WAY better candy choices…
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I would love to interview Acherson. What would I ask!? I would probably just sit there and stare… Someone else mentioned Harry, that would be cool too or Edward. Cat and Bones…. there are so many!!!!
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Oooo good question. I would like to interview Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series and ask him if maybe we would have had a chance if I'd run into him before Cat? I feel like the answer would be a pretty solid no, but I girl can dream right? Right:)
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I would love to interview Edward from Twilight. I would love to ask him if he met me before Bella would there be a chance of him falling in love with me. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
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I would love to interview Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter and ask her how she endured all that scorn and still stayed compassionate toward the hypocrites…for starters! 🙂
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Thanks, Shea. Great interview question… I wonder what Ward's answer would be?
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Thanks, Sarah.
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Ah Cate, now you've gone and made Ward blush.
I agree, thinking of just one fictional character is hard. There are some many great ones to choose from.
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lol. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Book two is scheduled to come out in December, so there will be more Ward and Celia soon 🙂
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Woha! First, thank you so much Melanie for stepping by and taking your time to comment:-)))
And girls: Your questions are awesome! I would also LOVE to interview Harry and ..*swoon* Bones too! But, I'd like interviewing him without Cat.. I mean I love Cat…but I love Bones more !
And …. a minute with Edward would be awesome too..
But, I think seriously, I would die to interview Barrons… although I'm pretty sure he won't give me any straight answers, he barely answers to Karen.. what would I ask him? I truly don't know, I might faint before I could ask him anything.. (yes crazy fan girl here)
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Great answer, Jus. And yeah, I know this great little chocolate shop that makes the best chocolate. I'd be curious to know why Reese Peices myself.
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I want to interview Celia, actually. Her mind is a fascinating place! LOL
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lol, Robin. You could use Escape by Fiction's interview technique. Why just stare when you could ask for a kiss?
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A girl can always dream. You never know, it might not just be a fantasy. Great answer, Jenny!
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Nice answer, Victoria. The joy of fiction is that the answer can be anything we'd like, so I'm sure he'd say yes.
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Since I'm one of the Bewitched Bookworms, I'm sure I can't win a copy of this book, but this interview just convinced me to get this book. Sigh, I think there's a new swoon worthy Edward on deck.
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I would want to interview Jericho Barrons, but I don't think he'd actually answer any questions I'd ask. But thats ok because I'd just be happy staring at him!
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I love your MC already!
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Thanks, Heather. Celia's interview is coming soon. You can check out my website for the time and place.
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Hmmm. Seem to be having reply difficulties.
To Heather of the Bewitched Bookworms, glad Ward could intrigue you. I hope you enjoy the book!
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lol. There are a lots of stare-worthy heroes out there, aren't there. Thanks for the Twitter and FB follow!
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Thanks Aubrie!
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I absolutely loved getting to know you better. That was really fun. If I could read any character interview, it would be Silas Marner. Man, wouldn't that have been an interesting interview?
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Reluctant Necromancer? How is it that I hadn't heard of this new series before? Thanks goodness for this interview. Edward certainly made me more than a little curious about his possible romance.
If I could, I'd interview Eric Northman and ask him if he'd marry me. 🙂
missie at theunreadreader.com
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Missie, this comment makes me wonder why your choice was Eric and not Barrons.
It seems you finally are ready to realize the truth that Barrons is mine!
…
*hugs*
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I think I may have answered this question on another blog but I would interview Harry Potter. My biggest question would be would you do all again, knowing everything he knows now? Would he change anything to try to have a different outcome? (ie Dumbledore)
Heather
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Thanks Brooke. Silas Marner would be a for a very interesting interview. Cool answer.
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lol, ladies.
Missie I'm glad the interview has made you curious. The romance is… we'll, I think Ward says it best "complicated."
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Good question, Heather. I've always wondered about the "if you knew then what you know now" conundrum. Certainly different choices might be made, but the outcome would also be different. Harry did end up with a happy ending. If he did things differently would it still be happy? Perhaps happier? Or maybe not?
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I absolutely LOVE this interview! And the book blurb is hilarious. I'm defintiely adding this one to my TBR pile!
As for a fictional character interview, hmm…. Maybe Holden Caufield, just so I could give him a hug. Or Luna Lovegood because she seems like an awesome person to talk to, even if you only understand half of what she's talking about.
Smiles!
Lori
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If I could ask any character anything, I just read Incarceron, the first book in the series, and I would ask Finn if he took his kingdom back! Thanks for an awesome giveaway:)
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Sherlock Holmes and find out more about how he thinks and comes up with his solutions.
Thanks for the chance!
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Thanks, Lori. I'm with you on Luna. She completely fascinates me.
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I haven't read Incarceron, but it looks cool. I'll have to add it to my TBR pile. Thanks, Jule.
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Good answer, Donnas. I've always wondered how Sherlock's mind works, too.
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I would want to ask Juliet … seriously girl? Why didn't you check him first.
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Thanks for the interview! It is covered in awesome sauce!! I would interview Meg Gardner from "Unearthly" by Cynthia Hand. I'd ask her about her background. I want to know her story soooo bad!!!! And now I'm following Melanie on twitter: @tinadw27. Thanks!! tinas_family3(at)yahoo(dot)com
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This sounds like a great book.I would interview Elena Michaels and ask her some questions about how she'd tell her kids what they are and what direction she would take the pack in.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
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Great interview! Oof, there are so many great characters! I would really like to interview Mr. Darcy (I mean, really, who wouldn't?) and/or Miles Vorkosigan from Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga. Or maybe his wife, Ekaterin. Miles is insanely fun and I would love to talk to Ekaterin about how she manages him. 🙂
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Lol, me, too!
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Thanks, Tina. The interview was sooo much fun! Glad you enjoyed it.
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The talk with her kids would be one interesting conversation, wouldn't it. Nice answer!
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lol. I'd certainly be up for interviewing Mr. Darcy!
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Great interview..it was fun.
Hugs 😀
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