Hello everyone! I hope you plan to have a Hoppy Easter. 😉 March has been busy (and rainy), but it was for a good cause, a cause for YOU! My newest book that I have been teasing for two years, “The Hunter and The Bringer,” is going to be released on APRIL 20th! 😀
This work has given me no sleep, stress, life evaluations, but has also fueled my creative fire in new ways and given me new characters to fall in love with. The reception to this book just being an thought from those who know me and my fans has been extremely incredible, allowing me to keep going.
I have added the cover here for you, once again made by the lovely Suzy Zhang who does all my “Spirit Vision” art, and it was formatted by my publisher, Sheenah. I also had three FANTASTIC Beta Readers. Due to this book being more mature than my usual content, I have labeled it as New Young Adult (ages 17+) AND it will be under a special logo, “What If Publishing.” So, if you see this on the back of book instead of Paper Crane Books, you know it is more mature. I will be splitting my works like this from now on.
NOW! For a treat! To thank my readers, I have added a bonus to the back of the book: A Character Q and A, so you can get to know Val and Jeremey better. Here is the first few questions to wet your appetite. You can find the rest in the book. And a HUGE THANK YOU to those who submitted questions! 🙂
I will add the pre-order link once I have it and will have a special “Top Ten” of sorts on April 10th. ^_^ I will add the NEW PAGE for “The Hunter and the Bringer” then too.
ALSO, ALSO! I updated my “To Be a Nerdy Otaku…” Page AND my “Links” page, so give those a gander.
NOW! On to the interview! 😀
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Bonus Feature: “The Hunter and Bringer” Q and A Session:
By: Author Morgan Straughan Comnick, and guests Valda Hemmingway and Jeremey Darington.
Four years ago, my amazing publisher and neek friend, Sheenah, gave me a fun, unique challenge: I was asked questions for my blog, a fairly normal sounding procedure, but my characters ‘came in’ and answered the questions for me in all their, ah, ‘charm.’ This was for my main series, “Spirit Vision,” Stary and Umbra stealing the stage.
Recalling this fun tidbit, I thought it would be fun to bring this back as a bonus feature for my readers to thank them for their patience with me and eagerness for my new book. This time though, it’s for the two main characters of this book, “The Hunter and The Bringer.”
Without further ado, enjoy this interview of Valda Hemmingway and Jeremey Darington!
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Introduction by Valda Hemmingway: Hello everyone! My name is Valda Hemmingway, but I go by Val. My boss informed me I needed to do this interview for our beloved patron, Mrs. Morgan Straughan Comnick. She apparently got permission from the government to write a book about my strangest and toughest case to date, so, if you’re reading this, that means you know about my ‘real’ job and are sworn to not tell a soul, unless you want your head sliced off by my katana…
*Voice from behind* “Now, now, my sexy lady; we don’t want to scare off these charming people, especially the delicate ladies…”
*Turns, surprised, then annoyed* “Darington? What the flying flips are you doing here?”
“This is our mission, so I’m apart of the interview for Mrs. Comnick, and might I add, she’s such a fox. So whimsical bubbly, full of sunshine…and those long legs and hot ass…”
“Lord! You are so disrespectful! I can’t believe Chief sent you down here nor that Mr. Stillman has to see your face daily. Don’t talk about Mrs. Morgan that way!”
“Don’t worry now, my little flower; you’re the only fox I want to pet…” *Gives a sexy glance*
“GAH! Moving on! Let’s just start this interview so I can get away from you faster!”
“Ouch! Feelings, dear! But, we should begin, for Mrs. Comnick’s honor…and the beautiful lady readers.” *Leans towards the crowd seductively and unbuttons his collar button, “Hi. I’m Jeremey Darington, and I dare you not to fall in love with me, but know my heart belongs to Val, during work at least…”
*Mouth agape, irritated horror on her face* “I…I…I have no words,” *Facepalm.* “Shall we start, please?”
1) What is the story of the novel?
“The Hunter and The Bringer” is about a joint case between two rivaling monstrum hunting organizations, The Hunters and The Bringers. Obviously, these two have extremely different views on how to handle the monstrum, but a lamia, or vampire as you mortals may refer to it, has powers beyond what we have seen. Myself and Dofus over there are the best agents in our organizations and are forced to work together to track this lamia in order to save more innocents from being abducted or killed. It’s not easy for us to work together by easy means!”
“Awww, come on, cupcake! Although that was a lovely explanation of the general plot of the incredible Mrs. Comnick’s work, it seems you were favoring one of the organizations over the other. I thought we were a team!”
“Well, yeah! I am part of the Hunters. It makes sense for me to favor one side. I figured you were getting all bent out of shape because I called you a Dofus.”
“Oh, no, little butterfly. I know you call me names because you are a sweet little, lethal girl that has a playground crush on me. I bet you look adorable in pigtails.” *Places hands on face and squeals with delight*
“…I’m gonna punch you in the throat and taser your ass.”
“Oooh! I like them spicy!”
2) Can you please tell us about yourselves?
“Oh! I’ll start! Hello ladies. My name is Jeremey Darington. I’m 33 years with sea-green eyes and a spiky, perfect mesh of dirty blond hair, and yes, I work out. I enjoy designer suits, shoes, and watches, pop songs, all sports, but I like football the best, going to the gym, being a principal, meeting new people, bur smoking ladies are my favorite. I just want to meet someone special, someone I can hold hands with, where we can gaze longingly into the sunset on a sandy white beach…”
“You sound like a dating site ad,” *Rolls eyes* “Konnichiwa minna-san. I’m Valda, Val, Hemmingway. Kindergarten teacher, top-notch agent for the Hunters, and all around nerd. My favorite hobby is anything to do with Japanese culture: history, language, sword techniques, cosplay, manga, anime, and traditions. I also love combat training, 80’s to early 00’s cartoons, fashion, toys, and music, walking, singing, acting, history, doing fun projects with my students, Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, and collecting necklaces, stuffed animals, and Elvis merchandise. That’s probably more than enough about me. Sorry about that…”
*Jotting notes in a notepad* “I hope I roll a 20 when I get alone with you, my elf princess.”
3) Can you help me defeat my arch nemesis – Gertrude von Gumbywapper?
*Intense look to the camera and in a frantic, fast voice* “What sort of monstrum is this Gumbywapper? How have they hurt mortals? Number of incidents? Level of monstrum? Describe their attacks? Do you know their country of origins?”
“I take cash, checks, and German chocolate as payment. As long as this Gummywapper doesn’t stain my silk shirts, I’m game.”
4) If you had a superpower (that you don’t already), what would it be?
“Psychic abilities like Professor X and Jean Gray, prior to the Phoenix arc. Flying, force shields, helping others who are falling, and reading minds. It’d be pretty baller. Although, Shadowcat is my favorite X-men.”
“I don’t need superpower; I’m already too perfect and any more would be overkill.” *Winks*
“Maybe I could projectile you off the building right now…or make your mind explode like Star Trek…”
5) What inspired your book cover?
“The insanely talented Ms. Suzy Zhang made the cover for our book. She also makes the covers and bookmarks for Mrs. Comnick’s young adult series, “Spirit Vision.” Ms. Zhang did an incredible job! It could not be any more perfect.”
“I give it a 9.5 out of 10 stars.” *Crossing arms with a smug smile*
“Really?! What could possibly be wrong with it?!”
“Oh no! Nothing is wrong with it. Ms. Zhang did a beautiful job on the covers, but it’s impossible to capture my studliness unless they study me up close. And I hope that will be your job, Val. Wanna play doctor?”
“You’ll need one if you insult Ms. Zhang’s work again.”
Catch the Rest of the Q and A with Val and Jeremey in “The Hunter and the Bringer.”
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About the Book:
A
hunter will protect the masses from a dark world of monsters, but who will be the bringer of light?
Monsters thrive in our world in the shadows of mortal eyes, living to feed. To keep them away from the knowledge of the world, two groups have been formed: The Hunters, who kill all monsters to save mankind, and The Bringers, who see monsters as living creatures and capture them for study.
Val Hemmingway is the top-notch agent for The Hunters. Jeremy Darington is the cocky golden man of The Bringers. With two clashing personalities and differentiating views, the two always end up in an argument. But when a new monster threat appears that can lure humans away without being seen, they must put everything aside and work together. Along the way, the discover secrets and embark on a personal journey that can flip the worlds of their organizations.
Could a Hunter and a Bringer ever get along?