An interview with Ulprec from the amazing children’s book The Anteater King!

 An interview with Ulprec from the amazing children’s book The Anteater King! 

Join Ulprec, a mouse, and Sombra, a fierce feline, as they embark on an epic journey. They flee from their home in South America to escape 'The Burning', a malevolent force determined to destroy everything in its path. 

These two brave companions must navigate the treacherous jungle and overcome countless obstacles to save their world from certain doom.

anteater king

You want to take advantage of this thrilling adventure of courage, determination, and friendship. Join them on their harrowing quest as they fight for their survival and the future of their beloved home.

 This exciting story is recommended for readers aged 10 and above.

Welcome to the protagonist interview for Book Buddies!

What is your full name? 

Ulprec.

What is your background? What makes Ulprec you? 

I’m… not sure what makes me me; perhaps my tail, my ears? Hmmm… I live with my friend Sombra, a large female tuxedo cat, with her human caretaker Celia, an only child like me, and her parents. I am VERY talkative, as you’ll probably notice. Sombra does not talk at all, and I never mind having a lengthy, one-sided conversation.

It sounds like you could be a talkative mouse. Do you talk yourself into or out of danger?

I like to think I have a nose for staying out of unnecessary trouble. I may not be much, but I would do anything for the ones who show me love and compassion.

Where do you live? 

A small village in South America, which is being destroyed by an unknown, malevolent force called La Quema.

What is La Quema? It sounds really scary. Should I be scared?

It is hard to explain. It is a big fire that has a mind. The fires start from nowhere, and out of these fires come men, or creatures that imitate the forms of men, that are made out of total darkness.

I was right. I should be scared! If you looked in a mirror, would you like what you saw? 

I’m not sure what a mirror is, sorry. I guess it would depend on what was in it. If this ‘mirror’ were full of cheese and berries, I would like seeing that. Celia gives me these little berries that turn my little fingers purple. This is sort of making me hungry.

What are your likes/dislikes?

LIKES: I was going to say something else, but now I’m thinking about cheese and berries, so we’ll just begin with that. Other than that, passing the days aimlessly with six-year-old Celia and the elegant Sombra. 

DISLIKES: Snakes and birds are bad news. Being alone is no fun. But most of all, I don’t like to see others in pain.

What would be your biggest wish/desire? 

For things to return to the way they were in a time before La Quema’s fiery, unforgiving wrath. Life was perfect.

Who are your parents? Are they still alive?

There are no other of my kind in my life. I don’t remember my parents, nor if I had any siblings. I have no mate and no offspring of my own. I don’t know how I came to live with the human Celia and her parents in their modest home. The feelings of aloneness are what make me cling so devotedly to the few creatures I am lucky enough to have in my life, and those I am destined to meet along the way. 

What would you change about yourself if you could wave a magic wand? 

I wish I was brave, beautiful, and able to handle myself in a fight like my dearest friend Sombra. She is literally perfect; so soft and pretty, so sure of herself, so fast and strong, she fears nothing.

What do you think about the current news in your area? 

It is beyond horrible. Large fires are burning the jungle and entire villages. I’m afraid my village will be next. Everyone and everything is suffering. No one knows why all of this is happening, and it is terrifying.

How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings? 

Overly honest, and totally unafraid to let others know what I am feeling and thinking. If talking was a superpower, I would be the mightiest hero in the whole world!

Who is the person you despise the most? 

I don’t hate anyone. I only know one person, and that’s Celia. She is wonderful to me.

Not even her parents?

I am familiar with the sight of her parents, and I don't think they'd be too happy if they saw me scurrying around their house, but I don’t hate them. As I said, I don’t hate anyone.

Can you save Celia from La Quema?

I wish I could save her, but I am so very small.

If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left. 

First, I’d let the ones I care about know how much I love them. Second, snuggle in Sombra’s soft, black fur one last time. Third, eat my last meal out of little Celia’s hand. 

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An excerpt from The Anteater King

Ulprec was familiarly accustomed to the one-sidedness of his relationship with his large feline friend, which made those ‘once in a blue moon’ morsels of her attention so welcome and captivating.

 As Ulprec lay upon his back, drawing and releasing exhausted breaths, his tiny eyes retracted from the pains in his delicate limbs, Sombra calmly approached and began licking the mouse’s injuries.

After a few dozen lathers of warm feline saliva, Ulprec felt the dull ache in his feet melt away somehow: like a mother’s kiss upon the injury of her distressed child. Pain departed and comfort ensued in the mouse as he lay there upon the jungle floor.

 ‘What ever would I do without you around, dearest Sombra?’ Ulprec thought to himself.

Sombra stood tall again, circled a few steps around to the opposite side of her companion and proceeded to curl her soft body around him. There had never been a hole in the wall, nor a nook close to the roof of his old home whose warmth could compare to that of the dark fur and flesh over the oversized tuxedo cat. Its coziness and security were that of a mother’s womb.

As helpless and exhausted as he was, Ulprec felt as though nothing could hurt him as he rested. Not the jungle, nor its inhabitants, not the fires of La Quema itself… nothing.

 

If time-travel is your bag then check out this fabulous #YA novel, plus on WWBB, the author's main character is interviewed, and WIN a prize! So much to check out! #books #kidslit #timetravel @tyrannopaulus @rararesources

The Lights of Time

Engella Rhys is alone, adrift and on the run. Pursued by a secret agency, known only as the Hunters, she must stay ahead to stay alive.

As she travels through space-time using dangerously experimental technology, she only has one wish: to be reunited with her lost parents. After a close shave with a Hunter on the streets of New Shanghai, Engella escapes to find herself on a deserted beach. When she meets a kind stranger, who offers her food and shelter, Engella feels safe and protected for the first time in years.

But who is this woman? And why did their paths cross at the most convenient of times?

Engella soon discovers their lives are intertwined in more ways than she could ever imagine.

Amazon.UK | Amazon.com

Character Interview

with 

Engella Rhys

from the book

The Lights of Time

(The Chronicles of Engella Rhys Book 1)

Who is the protagonist from The Lights of Time?

Introducing Engella Rhys, the protagonist from The Lights of Time. Engella was born in London UK in the mid-21^st century and is seventeen years old. She is the daughter of Dr Evan Rhys and Dr May Nakamura, but they were separated during a Hunter attack many years ago. Engella has lived alone ever since. She is on the run, shifting through space-time every few days, weeks or months. She has been searching for her parents ever since.

Engella was a happy child and felt safe and secure, until the day her parents took her away from home; after the Hunters’ first attack. The family moved around a lot, shifting from place to place and time period to time period. It was not all bad – she remembers one day in particular: visiting the beach with her parents, making sandcastles and eating ice cream. One of her favourite memories is watching holo-movies with her Papa. But all Engella has ever known is running from the Hunters, until one day she receives a message, which she believes is from her father. She was living on the streets of New Shanghai at the time and was trying to find out more about the message when the Hunters attack again.

What are her likes/dislikes?

Engella loves shifting to a mountaintop where she watches the sunrise or sunset. She feels at peace and can forget about her life on the run from the Hunters. She also loves to eat desserts. She doesn't get to eat them often, but can’t resist a piece of apple pie covered in custard. Her favourite pass times include playing retro computer games and wearing retro clothes from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. She often uses holo-technology to try out different garments from these historical periods.

Engella can’t stand nosiness; she gets irritated when asked a lot of questions by strangers, like when she meets Eddie Reyes. Engella only hates one thing – the Hunters. She doesn’t understand why they were after her family and wishes she could live a normal life.

What is Engella’s primary goal in life?

Engella’s main goal is to find out what happened to her parents. She won’t stop until she finds them.

How does she see herself?

Engella probably doesn’t see herself like others see her. Her years on the run have affected her greatly, knocking her confidence. She just wants to live a normal life and settle down somewhere quiet. But Engella doesn’t yet realise how strong she really is. 

But how do others see her?

The other main characters see Engella as a strong and confident leader. With time, Engella starts to see how others see her and she grows in strength and confidence as a result.

Sounds brilliant! Thank you, Paul, for sharing.

Paul Ian Cross is a multi-award-winning children’s author and scientist from London, UK.  

Paul works in clinical research (developing new medicines), and he’s also involved in science communication; presenting science to non-scientists. He enjoys his science career, but he also has a real passion for writing stories! He likes introducing children to the wonders of science, especially reluctant readers. By introducing science creatively, he aims to spark their interest; allowing them to gain confidence in their reading. As a previous reluctant reader himself, he understands how hard it can be. But it’s all about making reading fun and interesting!

Paul’s nephew Hayden influenced his decision to become a writer. He loved seeing Hayden’s reaction when his sister Michelle first read one of Paul’s stories to him! In his spare time, Paul likes to visit new and exciting places. One of his favourite places is Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye.

Paul’s debut picture book, Praxx and the Ringing Robot, won second prize in the ‘Picture Books 5 and Younger’ category at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2017. The book trailer also won first place in the ‘book trailer’ category at the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards later that year.

Paul’s second book, Planet Scrabbage and the Vegerons, won an honourable mention in both the ‘Picture Books 6 and Over’ and ‘Health’ categories at the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2018.

And that brings us to now... Paul is currently working on several new books. Paul’s debut upper middle-grade novel will be published in 2018. The Lights of Time is the first novel in a brand-new series: The Chronicles of Engella Rhys.

Paul hopes you enjoy reading his stories as much as he enjoyed writing them!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Win a Kindle HD Fire 7” and a signed copy of The Lights of Time (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days, then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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A character interview with Hattie Hastings @rararesources @audbyname #ghosts #books

…from the mind of a fictional character

by

Hattie Hastings
a character interview from Audrey Davis

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings

Today, I’m chatting to mother-of-one and recent widow, Hattie, about her views on the world and current affairs in general. Welcome, Hattie!

Thank you. I’m a little nervous, to be honest. I try to keep up-to-date with things, but I get upset when I watch the terrible atrocities being committed in the name of politics or religion. Or young children dying from preventable diseases or hunger. Gary – that’s my late husband – used to have to turn the TV over sometimes when I burst into tears.

Do you read a daily newspaper? Either a hard-copy or online?

I do skim through the Daily Mail online most days, but I get side tracked reading about celebrities or the latest ‘must have’ beauty treatment. I like The Times occasionally, for reviews and features mainly. Our local newspaper seems to be filled with stabbings, robberies and pensioners getting beaten up for the sake of a few pounds. It’s not like I live in a bad area, it just seems the world’s got nastier overall. As for politics, I can’t believe the mess we’re in right now. Brexit, Catalonia seeking independence, Trump as president – or, that muppet in the White House, as Gary called him – we seem to be sinking deeper into chaos and division.

If you could change one thing right now in the world, what would it be?

Crikey, there’s so much I’d love to change. Where to begin? I guess I’d stamp out racism, religious intolerance and any kind of bigotry. We’re all people, whatever our beliefs or skin colour. It breaks my heart when I see people killing each other because they disagree or they think their race is superior.

You lost your husband, Gary, in a terrible accident. I am so sorry. How have you managed to cope?

It’s not been easy, but my friends and family have been wonderful. The biggest thing to come out of it has been how it’s changed my attitude to death.

What do you mean, Hattie? How did you view it before, and what has changed now?

Erm, it’s a bit difficult to explain. Sorry. I don’t want to sound like a crazy person. I always believed that death was the end, that once you were gone, that was it. Now …

I’m intrigued! Have you visited a psychic, or something like that? Do you have a sense that Gary is still watching over you?

(There is a long pause, punctuated by some laughter and what sounds like a male voice).
Listen, let’s just say I’m much more open-minded these days. There are things in this world we can’t always explain. Losing a loved one is so hard, but maybe it’s not always the end of the road … sorry, can we change the subject?

Of course. You have a son, Johnny, who is twenty, I believe. Do you think life is harder for young people now that when you were that age?

Oh, without a doubt. On one hand they have the internet, social media, mobile phones and so on. So much information at their fingertips, but is it all for the good? I read about cyber bullying and people being persecuted online because of how they look. Everything’s disposable, and if you don’t have the latest gadget or the trendiest clothes, you can feel like a failure. Then there are all these students coming out of uni knee-deep in debt, and lucky to earn minimum wage. Johnny – well, he decided uni wasn’t for him – is writing a book on the subject. Although I haven’t seen much evidence of it so far! He’ll probably still be living at home when I collect my pension. That was a joke – I hope.

It’s been lovely to chat to you, Hattie. I thought I heard someone with you. Is that Johnny? Has he been sitting with you during our interview?
(Another pause, and the sound of something like a bell).
No, he’s not here. It was … someone else, but they’ve gone now. Thank you for having me.

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Introducing...

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings Part One

Some people just won't take death lying down … ! (NB: cliffhanger ending).

Part one of a fun-filled trilogy about life, death and letting go.

Amazon.UK

Hattie Hastings is happily married, even if husband Gary drives her up the wall at times. When tragedy strikes, she is left alone and heartbroken, with only an assortment of family and friends to prop her up.

Struggling to cope, she is left reeling when her deceased other half returns, popping up at the most inappropriate times.

Hattie can't convince anyone that Gary has returned. Not even best friend Cat – now free from the cruel and controlling Stewart – will believe her.

Why has Gary returned? And what will Cat do when her slimy ex-husband tries to worm his way back into her affections?

The Haunting of Hattie Hastings will make you laugh, cry and count down until Part Two …

About Audrey Davis

Audrey Davis

Scottish-born Audrey studied journalism in Edinburgh more decades ago than she cares to admit. She cut her writing teeth on provincial newspapers (using a typewriter) and a London-based video magazine (another sign of her advanced years).

Engagement to her now-husband Bill took them to Singapore, Australia and Buckinghamshire, England, before they settled in Switzerland in 2002. Along the way they had two boys, both all grown-up and living in the UK.

Her journey to becoming a published author began with an online Writing Fiction course. It took well over a year but, in June 2017, Audrey published her debut romantic comedy novel, A Clean Sweep. It was quickly followed by a shorter and darker prequel, A Clean Break.

The idea for The Haunting of Hattie Hastings came from nowhere, just a random title that popped into her head and from there grew into Part One of a trilogy. It comes under the same genre, but has some poignant scenes and – hopefully – lots of laughs! Audrey admits to being a worrier, and has always used humour as a defence mechanism, as her friends will attest.

When Audrey isn’t writing, she loves shows like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story and Strictly Come Dancing (a strange mix, she knows). Her interests include cooking (and eating pretty much anything apart from oysters), travelling and going to the gym. OK, the last one is mainly to compensate for her passion for food!

Audrey would describe herself as a ‘pantser’ rather than a ‘planner’, preferring to run where a story takes her and scribble copious notes along the way. She’d love to write a page-turning thriller, but fears her natural tendency to see the comic side of life might be an obstacle.

What happens when a moody and bad-tempered 'chick lit' character is interviewed.

Character Interview

Valerie Anthrope from the novel The Fall of the Misanthrope: I bitch therefore I am

Welcome, Valerie. How are you today?

I’m here aren’t I? *Looks at watch* Can we get on with it. I haven’t all day.

Amazon.UK
Amazon.com

Er, sure. Tell us about yourself? Where were you born/grew up? Your background?

I’m twenty-six and I was born in North Finchley in London. I grew up there too. I lived with my parents and brother until—

Until?

Until things started to go wrong. Oh, I suppose I should tell you. They say it’s therapeutic talking about ones problems, don’t they? I was eight years old, and Mum had always been neurotic, guess that’s where I get it from, and when I was eight she had a baby. All was fine until we went to that funfair and I met a witch *embarrassed cough*. Oh, I know she wasn’t a witch now, but tell that to an eight year old kid.

Go on.

The witch told me that everyone I loved would die. I’d have forgotten about it in time, I suppose, only that night Sean, my brother, died. My mum, as I’d said, was already over-anxious and became obsessed with my heath after his death. Dad had withdrawn, so I felt I was on my own. Imagine having your health analysed all the time and vitamin tables wrapped up so they looked like sweet, and then not being about to discuss it with anyone. That’s what it was like. But, anyway, she committed suicide when I was sixteen, so—

Character and author interview with Tory Richards' erotic romance:

Instant Attraction

by

Tory Richards

Thomas is a motorcycle cop, new to the rural area. He needed a change from the hectic big city, and the pressures of being on the swat team. A little more peace and quiet to reflect on what he wants in life, and maybe find someone to share it with along the way.

He never expected to find his perfect match in the form of one sexy little animal activist. From the moment they meet their attraction is hot and out of control.

Julie is an animal lover and works at a no kill shelter. Living next door to the new cop in the area, she’s asked by someone at the small town hall to welcome him to the neighbourhood. When she meets Thomas for the very first time instant attraction causes the sparks to fly. And they can’t keep their hands off each other. The hot anywhere, any time sex is great but they both want more. Can instant attraction turn into love?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of anal sex.
What’s your background? What makes you you? 
Well, my name is Thomas and I was born and raised in Boston, where my parents and younger brother, Donald still live. He’s a fireman and my folks are veterinarians. After I returned from a stint in Iraq my Uncle Jack talked me into entering law enforcement. For a while I served on the SWAT team but decided I wanted a change of scenery. A place more laid back and peaceful, to be exact. So I picked up and moved to a rural area outside of Boston.

What is your main goal in life? 
(big sigh) I wasn’t sure until I met Julie. I mean, I know I wanted to meet someone I could share my life with. I thought I had in Boston but it turned out she only wanted fun and sex. Julie is different. I knew that the moment I looked into her eyes. So in answer to your question, my main goal in life is keeping her in mine. We’re good together. (he smiles)

How do you see yourself? 
I’m pretty easy going I guess. Family is important to me. And though I’ve always liked animals, Julie has turned me into an activist. I actually stopped to help Harriet, the resident pond turtle, cross the street the other day. That old girl is lucky she lives where we live.

Vote for your February winner, and the March line-up

In February, WWBB ran a short story competition and I need help to decide on a winner! Click on the below link to read a story, and then leave a comment for your favourite.

Monster Race by John Hudspith

Lurking Demons by Robert Crompton

Vacation by Peter DeMarco

Maureen goes to Oz by Jonathan Hill

Snow by Kathryn Hewitt

That was February, and for March it's all about getting to know the author or a character from their book. I wrote questions for the author to answer as themselves and/or from a character's POV from their novel. The result was brilliant! The authors participating (in no order) are: 

Cindy McDonald

Haley Fisher

Helena Duggan

Jonathan Hill

Alison Morton

Kevin Moore

Lynne Stevie

Tory Richards