Author Jamie Haden had the opportunity to interview some of the characters from her novel, Illuminate-Alive, She Cried.
Talisa Santiago's life is in grave
danger. The tricksters from her past have found her and want her dead. Only one
place can keep her safe—a remote Indian reservation deep within the Great
Smokey Mountains. Talisa doesn't know what to expect. The only thing she
clearly understands is that she must leave her island home, depart from her
mother, and stay hidden from society for one year. Yet, she isn't afraid; her
closest friends stand by her side and promise protection.
I'd like to welcome Talisa Santiago and her three friends—Jag, Dakota,
and Miguel—to the blog this afternoon. It is clear you'll have a very special
relationship. How long have you been friends?
The gang is on the couch together.
Talisa sits between Jag and Dakota. Miguel relaxes on the arm of the sofa and
taps his hand against his knee as if trying to catch a beat.
Talisa looks at Dakota and smiles.
"Seems like forever," she says. Dakota blushes. Jag takes her right
hand and entwines her fingers with his.
Miguel clears his throat. "I
grew up with Dakota and Jag, they're like my brothers. As for Talisa, we'd do
anything for her. It's as if we've known her our whole lives."
Perhaps, but you haven't, when did you meet?
"I came to Silence Island last
year," Talisa says. "And my life hasn't been the same since."
FIRST QUESTION: TALISA, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
"My grandfather is a shaman,
and I was born in the desert. My mother took me away when I was seven, I really
don't remember my childhood."
Jag leans over and kisses her
cheek. "That was then," he replies, "and this is now. The past
is the past, baby."
Miguel interrupts. "As for me,
I was born in Jamaica." Miguel is wearing a red and black crochet cap. He
winks, rips it off, and releases a heap of knotty dreads.
BOYS, I'VE HEARD THE THREE OF YOU ARE GOING TO ACCOMPANY TALISA TO THE
RESERVATION. LEAVING YOUR FAMILY AND ISLAND HOME FOR ONE YEAR TO GO INTO HIDING
WITH HER IS QUITE A SACRIFICE.
"Nah, not really," Miguel
says. I was at the reservation as a kid. I made some good friends there. In
fact, I never said good-bye because I knew one day, I'd be back."
WHAT WAS THE RESERVATION LIKE? CAN YOU GIVE US A SNEAK PREVIEW?
Miguel shrugs, shakes his head.
NOTHING?
Why ruin the surprise. All I'm
gonna say it will blow their freaking minds.
FAIR ENOUGH. NOW, QUICK, EVERYONE HAS TO ANSWER THE NEXT SERIES OF
QUESTIONS. READY?
"Shoot," Miguel says.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Dakota answers first. "Doesn't
exist."
"Talisa," Jag says. "She
is perfect happiness."
"Girls," Miguel blurts
out.
Talisa swallows hard. "Peace
of mind," she responds.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JOURNEY?
"The one within," Dakota
says.
Jag laughs. "Hell yeah."
"Same," Miguel agrees.
"Same," Talisa says.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?"
"Been there and done
that," Dakota replies.
Miguel nods. "Happened to me
in Africa," he states.
"I drown when I was ten,"
Jag offers.
"Drowning would be a terrible
way to die," Talisa says. "Silent."
"WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT DO YOU VALUE
THE MOST?"
Talisa looks at the boys. "My
friends," she says. "They are all I have."
Dakota and Jag flash her a smile.
"Come on girl, we gotta get
going," Miguel says. "We have a long road ahead." He jumps off
the sofa and flashes the peace sign.
Jamie Haden
Wilmington, NC
August 2012
Illuminate-Alive, She Cried, a novel by Jamie Haden
Some
say the concept of rebirth is simply a metaphor for living a better life, a
holier life. For seventeen-year old Talisa Santiago, such a resurrection is
anything but a metaphor. It is her reality.
Talisa knows she can communicate
with the spiritual world. She is the granddaughter of a shaman and going
between two different worldly dimensions is something she realizes she is
destined to do. However, what she doesn’t count on is what fate has in store
for her.
After surviving the first hurricane
of the season on the island where she lives, Talisa learns that her life is in
grave danger. She must leave immediately and retreat to live with a secretive
clan of Indians on a remote reservation deep within the Great Smokey Mountains.
Her blood brothers, three shifters
who have the desires of both man and animal surround her, promising everlasting
friendship and protection. Now, Talisa will put her life in their hands, depart
from her mother, and begin the journey of a lifetime. However, the majestic
mountains hold many secrets and danger lurks in the night. There are evil
tricksters everywhere that want her dead. As Talisa falls prey to the confusion
of her own sexuality, she unleashes an untamed passion that may get them all
killed.
Jamie
Leigh Haden is the author of Spirit
Seeker, a young adult fantasy. Jamie lives and writes near the seashore in
North Carolina. She has a Bachelor's degree in philosophy. Jamie is currently
working on An Unimagined Life, the
sequel to Illuminate-Alive, She Cried.
Get Illuminate-Alive, She Cried on
Kindle here: http://goo.gl/g6qKF or in paperback
here: http://goo.gl/3V4Of
Jamie
Haden www.jamiehaden.com
BUY LINKS:
JAMIE’S SOCIAL NETWORKING LINKS:
No comments:
Post a Comment