Introducing Draven & Ananchel from Ember & GIVEAWAY

I'm very excited to share two characters from Ember with you today.  I was lucky enough to spend some time with Draven and Ananchel.

Draven

Hey, Draven.  Thanks for answering my questions today.  Impressive library you have here.  Great place for us to chat.

He gestures for me to sit on one of the studded leather couches and then joins me.

Thank you. My two favorite places to be are my kitchen and here. Perhaps you’d like to stay for dinner?

Dinner, huh? That might be nice.  I heard you know your way around a kitchen.  Interesting skill for you to acquire.  What got you interesting in cooking?

I’m not sure it’s that interesting or I’m very good at it. I tend to stay indoors a lot. I enjoy art, to me food is an art form and eating is a very sensual experience. We use sight, taste, touch and smell, even sound when cooking and eating. I have to be in the right frame of mind for either. Experimenting with the senses is something I have private reasons for exploring.

Really? I’d say that’s interesting. Hmm. Guess you won’t tell us why. 

 

I get that look like, don’t ask.

Umm, moving one, what’s your favorite dish to make is?

I learned to make Lasagna while living in Northern Italy some years ago. It always tastes good. 

I guess living in Northern Italy would cause you to be interested in cooking.  I’ve hear your Lasagna is wonderful.  Perhaps that could be dinner?

He nods.

You have lived a long time and yet I understand you have never had a mate before, well beside a few flings.  Why is that?

He appears uncomfortable for the first time but quickly hits me with a disarming smile.

You don’t hold back with the personal questions, do you? It’s not something I’m comfortable talking about. I’m usually very private.

Besides never meeting the right person, I needed to put the others needs before my own.

I look down, embarrassed.  

 

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so personal.  Just curious.  You appear to be a very good catch.

Tell me the best part about being an angel?

I don’t know any other way to be. I am what I am, so I suppose you are asking what is the best part about being me? 

Draven stretches and grins charmingly. He then lowers his head and sighs, lifting it again only enough to lock me in his gaze.

 

Recent events have awakened parts of me I had locked away. This may be difficult for a mortal to understand... I’m sorry, I certainly don’t intend for that to sound condescending, but the best part is equally the worst. Living forever has its privileges and pains. I have seen and experienced so much during my existence but it comes at a price. I became jaded a long time ago. The world around me is forever in flux while I am constant. Imagine beginning a walk through a beautiful countryside on a warm day. It’s wonderful and lovely, and then imagine never being able to rest. Imagine knowing the moment you stop walking, you will simply cease to be. 

Wow.  I had no idea.  I must say that you are not quite what I expected, in a good way.  I am really enjoying my time with you. Moving on.

If you could have one wish, besides doing in Sebastian, what would it be?

Draven laughs.

Despite popular opinion, I had no desire to ‘do Sebastian in’ until very recently. It’s no secret I would be happy to see him disappear; he’s been a wasp buzzing in my ear for as long as I can remember. I never wanted him dead, I think it’s safe to say if I wanted him dead, he would be. At the moment, I need him around.

I’m sure he would say the same about you.

Probably.

He shrugs.

Right now, all I want is to keep everyone I care for safe. I will go to any length to achieve that aim.

Hmm. You have me thinking now.

The first time you laid eyes on Candra, what did you think?

It’s complicated. I’m not sure I can explain. There is something about her that I can only describe as... you know, I’m not sure there is a word for it or that I’ve figured it out yet.

Can you describe Candra in 3 words?

Stimulating, unique and dangerous.

If you could take Candra anywhere, where would you take her and what would you do there?

I’m not sure that is something any of us have the option of thinking about right now.

What about Sebastian, can you describe him in 3 words?

Irritating, foolish and predictable.

  

Anything else you think my readers would like to know about you?

He leans back and scratches his taut stomach absently as he considers the question.

About me, no but I think they should remember, Sebastian can’t be trusted.

I think he would say the same about you.

Probably.

He shrugs.

  

Of course, he would be right. 

Oh would ye now, hmmm.

 

 Randomness:

M&M or Skittles? Why can’t I have both?

Stereo or iPod? Stereo

Football or soccer? Soccer

Motor boating or sailing? Sailing

Burger or steak? Steak

Read the book or watch the movie? Read the book

Jeans or shorts?  Jeans

Thanks for talking to me today.  I’m not sure I can find my way out of this place, can you show me?

 Draven chuckles darkly and arches an eyebrow.

I hope my answers haven’t put you off staying for dinner? 

You were serious about that? Well, I would like to stay actually.  I rather like your company.

Draven laughs and leads me out of the library.

I think we’ll keep the dinner private, shall we.   

After dinner.

Thank you for dinner, Draven.  It was wonderful.  I think I still need help finding my way out of here.

Okay, I will call Ananchel to escort you home. You may have difficultly remembering directions once you leave the building. 

 Ananchel

Hey Ananchel, thanks for talking to me today.  Not sure why we are meeting in a parking garage, but it works.

Ananchel rolls her eyes.

You are confused already my dear. We are here because Draven instructed me to drive you home and answer your silly questions. Make sure you record this. By the time you get home you won’t remember this place.  

Love this car of yours.  Do you like to drive fast?

She strokes her index finger along the roof of the gleaming red Fererri.

Of course you do and yes.

Your colors seem to be red and black, hair and leather that is.  Where do you shop?

She laughs lightly and swishes her hair over her shoulder, her stiletto heels clink on the concrete floor and echo through the garage with each footstep toward the front of the car. Ananchel stops there runs both palms over her leather covered hips.

Everything is custom made and one of a kind, just like me.

I glance away and try to avoid her piercing stare.

 

Umm, moving on.  The first time you saw Candra, what was your impression?

That she had no idea what she is.

Okay, can you describe her in 3 words?

No.

She takes a step closer and smiles when I take a step back.

No need to worry, I’ve promised Draven I’ll be on my best behavior.

Sp...speaking of your behavior... about that first meeting between you and Candra, were you trying to kill her or was it a test?

Now, that would be telling... and I don’t intend to.

Okay. What about you and Sebastian.  It seems you two go way back.  What do you think of him?

Sebastian is a menace, overly dramatic and spineless, he lacks commitment to anything and anyone, but it can be fun to play with him sometimes. The level of his self-loathing is only matched by how much I loathe him.

She holds up her hand and tilts her head to examine her blood red nails.

Isn’t it amusing how he scurries away like the scared little rodent he is every time I’m around?

Oh, I'm surprise.  I thought you liked Sebastian.

From the look on her face, I move on quickly.

 

So, we know that Draven has never had a mate, what about you?

Yes, I know Draven has never had a mate too.

Are you being evasive? Have you ever been in love?

She narrows her eyes, as if deciding if she will answer.

Yes.

She crosses her arms, making it clear we should move on despite not clarifying which question she answered.

Okay, if you could have one wish, what would it be?

That we all get what we deserve.

That’s interesting. I wonder what you deserve.

She gives me a look that could kill me where I stood. So, once again I move on, quickly.

Anything else you would like to tell my readers about yourself?

I think I’ve said more than enough already.

Randomness:

M&M or Skittles? Do I look like I eat either?

Stereo or iPod? iPod

Diamond or pearl? Diamond

Mall or boutique? We’ve discussed this already.

Salad or sandwich? Ananchel laughs dryly.

Read the book or watch the movie? Movie

Leather or satin? Leather 

Thanks Ananchel for talking to me today.  It’s been fun.

She sighs irritably.

If you say so. 

I make a quick get away.  There's only so much I'm willing to rick for my blog readers.

 

About Carol Oates

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Summary from Goodreads:

When Candra Ember wakes up in hospital after a dangerous encounter with a red-haired woman, she is shocked to discover that seeing a winged boy wasn’t her imagination. Candra is exposed to a world of rivalry and sacrifice she never knew existed, and the aftermath of a war to save humanity thousands of years ago. Soon she finds herself relentlessly stalked by Sebastian, a beautiful and arrogant Watcher Angel and romantically pursued by his darkly seductive rival, Draven. Ultimately, dubious about her own goodness, Candra’s very existence compromises a tentative peace in the city of Acheron.





Interested in reading this one?  Oh I think you will want to read this one.  Here's my review.  Here's the scoop on the giveaway.

Follow the blog tour

The blog tour begins September 1st, and ends September 20nd with a grand prize giveaway announced on YA Bound on September 23rd. In order to enter into the giveaways, you must comment on the blog posts during the tour. Links to the blog posts will be added to the tour schedule daily during the tour. Make sure you get your comments in before 5 PM EDT on September 21st, as the contests will be closed.

What you could win

Six random blogs on the tour will be giving away an ebook copy of EMBER. Make sure you comment with your email to be entered into the giveaway. RUNNER UP PRIZE: An EMBER canvas tote and print copy of EMBER. GRAND PRIZE: A silver butterfly necklace, an EMBER canvas tote, and an ebook of EMBER. To enter into the GRAND PRIZE and RUNNER UP PRIZE giveaways, you must comment on ALL blog posts with your email during the tour.

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