Sci-Fi Encounters: Interview with Christine Feehan
I fell in love with Christine Feehan's GhostWalkers a number of years ago, and today I'm talking with her about the 11th book in the series, Viper Game.
A bit about Christine first (courtesy of the author):
A No. 1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 40 published novels, including five series; Leopard Series, Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Drake Sisters Series, and the Sisters of the Heart Series. She's been published in multiple languages and in many formats, including audio book, e-book, hardcover and large print. Of herself she says, "I've been a writer all of my life — it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean, everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself."
About Viper Game (courtesy of Jove):
GhostWalker Wyatt Fontenot knows the price he paid for the secret military experiments that gave him his special catlike abilities. After all, he left his bayou home a healer and came back a killer. While Wyatt and his GhostWalker brother Gator may have known exactly the sort of game they were getting into, Wyatt never anticipated where it would lead—or to whom.
The swamps hold many mysteries, but few are as sinuously seductive as Le Poivre de Cayenne. The woman the locals call Pepper is every bit as enigmatic as the three little girls she's desperately trying to protect. From what, Wyatt is soon to discover. Right now Pepper needs a man like Wyatt. Passionately. But her secrets are about to take them both deeper into the bayou than either imagined—where desire is the deadliest poison of all.
Veronica: I love sexy Cajun heroes and really enjoyed Gator Fontenot's earlier book in the series (Night Game). It was a pleasure for me to return to the Louisiana setting and the Fontenot family when reading the new book about his brother Wyatt. What three things influenced you most when it came to writing Viper Game?
Christine: The location — using the swamp and the bayou. I love the Fontenot family and the love of family. I wanted to create a heroine who was created for violence and seduction but ended up abhorring both.
Veronica: I was so happy to see the character of Nonny again, who is so integral to the story! Can you tell us a bit about how you created her?
Christine: I think Nonny is the epitome of most grandmothers who are willing to raise their grandchildren. She embodies the strength of the Cajun families that were raised in her era where they had to hunt and fish to stay alive. I love her strength and that she sacrificed her life to provide the best life and opportunities for her grandsons but never considered it a sacrifice.
Veronica: What sort of research went into the amazing enhancements your heroine Pepper and the little girls have?
Christine: I had to talk with a herpetologist. I have a primary source who works with toxins and does research in that area. I also have too many research books to name. LOL! I try to mix facts and fiction together. I love to blend cutting-edge science and fiction into my GhostWalker books.
Veronica: Do you have a favorite short scene from the book you'd like to share?
Christine:
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Wyatt glanced down at the child. Tears trickled down her face. It felt obscene to be looking at a baby who was so completely alone.
"Her name is Ginger. She's only seventeen months old and her life has been hell. She's afraid of everyone but me. Please, please take care of her."
"I'm not afraid, Wyatt," Nonny insisted. "Come here, baby." She held out her arms to the child.
The woman leaned over to brush a kiss on the baby's forehead. "It's all right. Go with her, Ginger. They aren't going to hurt you. Remember, I told you about the nice lady who left us food and the blanket for you?" She lifted her head to look at Nonny, avoiding Wyatt's gaze. "She can't stay warm unless she's in the sun. You have to keep her warm."
"No. Don' you touch that child, Nonny." Much to his consternation, his voice came out a snarling command. Fear could do that to one. He took a breath and tried again. "She's dangerous. Her bite is dangerous. Trust me on this, Grand-mere, she's as dangerous as the snakes here in the bayou."
Nonny made a single sound and all three pairs of eyes immediately went to her. He'd heard that sound a few times when he'd been a young boy, mainly when he was out of control and she was about to come down hard on him.
"This is still my home, Wyatt Fontenot, and I still make my own decisions. Tha's a baby, and in this house, as long as I own it, we take care of the children. Snakes and alligators don' bother me. I'm not afraid of her. She's terrified. Can' you see that? Someone shot an enfant. Tha's who you should save your anger for."
"I can' take the chance of you gettin' hurt, Nonny," Wyatt said, much quieter. He knew that tone, the set of her shoulders. She was not going to back down. He was fighting a losing battle.
"It isn' your choice," Nonny said firmly. She held out her arms to the child. "Come here to me, Ginger. I'll keep you safe."
The child looked to the woman, who nodded slowly.
"I'll take good care of her," Nonny assured. "We're goin' to sit right here on the couch, wrapped in blankets, and Wyatt will take care of your mommy. He's a traiteur, baby. A very good one and he won't let your mama die."
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Christine: That is one of my favorite scenes showing how strong Nonny feels about protecting children. She doesn't shy away from anything when it comes to that protection. I love her all the more for it.
Veronica: I'm in total agreement. She really sets the tone for how the children are going to be treated, right from the start, and the love comes through.
Do you have an "end game" in mind for the long-running villain behind the scenes, Dr. Whitney? Do you think we'll ever see him get his well-deserved comeuppance?
Christine: I do know what will happen to Dr. Whitney, but he's a brilliant mind and in some ways the GhostWalkers still need him. That dilemma will become more clear in my next GhostWalker book, Spider Game.
Veronica: I can't wait for that! In every book, including this one, you've given us amazing twists and turns in the "relationship" between Dr. Whitney and the GhostWalkers. I love the Louisiana setting in the book, which we've visited before in the series. Does the area have a special significance to you? Did you spend time there doing research?
Christine: I absolutely love the New Orleans area. I love the swamps and bayous. I love the people. I have many primary sources who are generous with their time, educating me about the area. I don't think there is anywhere else in the world quite like it.
Veronica: May we take a peek at what's on your to-be-read list?
Christine: I have been behind on some of the series I read so at the moment I am catching up on Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series. I have been catching up on Lori King's series, too. Faye Kellerman's The Ritual Bath is one of my favorites, and I have been catching up on that series as well.
VIPER GAME TRAILER
(If you can't see the video here, you can watch it on YouTube.)
Find out more about Christine and her books at www.christinefeehan.com.
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Amazon best-seller Veronica Scott is a two-time recipient of the SFR Galaxy Award and has written a number of science-fiction and paranormal romances. Her latest is Mission to Mahjundar . You can find out more about her and her books at veronicascott.wordpress.com. Please e-mail Veronica at scifiencounters@gmail.com about content related to this column. Due to the volume of mail, e-mails may not be answered personally, but all will be read.