Morning lovelies!  Today I have the pleasure of sharing a character interview from Natasha Larry’s book, Darwin’s Children.  Please take a moment to check it out and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom!

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Natasha Larry here, I’d like to start by thanking Theresa for hosting this guest blog. Today, I’d like to share an interview with the main protagonist in Darwin’s Children, Jaycie Lerner. The interview was conducted by Leah Walker, whose bio is printed at the end of this transcription. Enjoy!

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I met Miz Jaycie Lerner at a small, out-of-the-way café in Johnson City, fairly close to her hometown of Jonesborough, Tennessee. As she settled in and ordered a tall coffee, I took a moment to observe her unnoticed; she wore a yellow, crocheted shawl over a white sundress covered in tiny ears of yellow corn. Clearing my throat, I glanced down at my questions and asked—

 L.W.:   What do you feel that you are missing out on most by not being “normal?”

Jaycie:. Probably not much, honestly. I mean, sure, there are times I envy other girls my age…I would love to make out with my boyfriend without killing him and I’d love it if I didn’t have to lie to him…but my godfather taught me that evolution is quite normal. I’d rather hang out with my family, anyway.

As if being a “super” being wasn’t challenging enough, you were also born a black woman. Do you ever feel uncomfortable as a stereotyped ‘minority’? How do you cope?

Well, there are a lot more black people than super humans in the world, so being black is kind of the least of my worries. When you grow up in a small town like Jonesborough, people don’t give a crap about things like color. The thing most people wonder about my family and myself is why we don’t go to church more often. Of course, my father is a telepath-he controls what people see and what they don’t.

If there were anywhere on earth you could live, where and why?

Wow! I never considered living anywhere outside of Jonesborough, really. Pretty pathetic, I know. I would have to say Italy because of the art.

 What is your favorite memory of your mother?

My favorite memory of my mother-my Ally, not my biological mother-was when she first came to be my live-in trainer. I didn’t want her anywhere near me at first and she was okay with that. When I was eight she sat down and watched a movie with me and when it was over, she turned her head and said; “I lost my mother when I was your age-I’m still not over it,” then she looked at me with those big blue eyes and I knew everything would be okay. The next day, she took me to a train yard and entertained me by juggling trains. It was the coolest thing ever. I understood that she was supposed to be in my life all along.

No fair! You answered the question the way you wanted to, not the way I asked it. Now, what is your favorite memory involving your biological mother??

 I’m sorry-it’s a telepath thing. I guess my favorite memory of her was the second I felt my dad get over her.

 What was your biggest stress when you were in 5th grade?

Well, I was home schooled my entire life, but I still had to interact with kids my own age. By then, my telekinesis had manifested so my biggest stress was not getting worked up in public… or answering thoughts out loud. For the most part, I played with my best friend Matt because he’s just always been easier to be around. I also had to constantly remind myself that ten year olds don’t typically know much about advanced calculus or anything else weird like that. There were a few cases when people saw me use my powers, luckily they don’t remember any of it. Matt’s memory was wiped on an almost monthly basis.

 Does Matt, or anyone else; have any long-term side effects from their memory being wiped?

Not that I know of. He has to be real careful with Ally, what with her being so vulnerable to psychic attack. Mostly it’s annoying because you know something just mind-jacked you. And you can never figure out what.

 How did you know so much about advanced calculus at ten? Why even go through the motions of school if you have so much knowledge?

I got most of math skills telepathically from my Dad and Johnny-they are both Math nerds. Telepaths, well some of us, can siphon information from the brain…kind of like a download. The school question is a great one. My dad would say..”Jaycie you need to interact with kids your own age..you need some normality..blah blah.”

 Do you actually have to wash your face at night? Or does your magic keep your skin beautiful?

 Ha! I love you for asking that. My best friend Haylee would say something like that. The glowing skin thing takes a little getting used. Before my last surge it wasn’t visible, but now…I use my telepathy to hide it. People always wonder why other telekinetic minds don’t have the same issues I have- I’m a human power source when you get down to the nitty gritty. I can finally say that out-loud and not get scared of the idea.

 So do you have to wear sunscreen or deodorant? Or shave your legs?

Cause I’m black you mean? Grins Ally makes me…black people do burn slower, but you should always guard your skin. Yes, I do shave my legs. I find it peaceful.

 What was your favorite pet growing up?

I once had a kitty named Buttons when I was around five. My biological mother brought her home from the pound. I’ll never forget those cute little paws with the white tips. That was when my Johnny knew I had empathic ability-a few months later my telepathy manifested. Johnny thinks I’m the only one of us that was born with a super human ability-but empathy is necessary for all super human abilities. He can’t go five minutes without thinking up some new theory. Most people are empathic-they just ignore it. Psychic phenomenon is very common with the human race in general. Everyone is psychic but no one trusts what they can’t explain.

 How could Johnny tell from your interaction with the kitten that you are an empath?

He has the ability to read bio-energy-which is perfect for him. He can sense power in others…the subtle energies our brains give off. He can also force anyone to do anything…I once asked him to force a woman to give me her pony-not even close.

 Can you communicate with animals on a different level because of your powers? Can anyone?

I think all people can communicate with animals because most of them are very intuitive…ironically, the fact humans don’t know they are also intuitive prevents this from happening.

 If the entire human race evolves within your lifetime, think you might go back to Edenvale for some guest lectures on your experiences?

Laughs. After my valedictorian speech, I don’t think they’d want me to! If my art teacher asked, surething.

 When Ally gives you a day off, what is your preferred method of “rest”?

 I like to sketch. For some reason, whenever I draw, my brain waves quiet down and it’s the most relaxing sensation I’ve ever felt.

 Past or present, living or dead, if you could have one person’s mind to dip into (with their permission), who would it be?

 Oooo, that’s a good one. I would go with Bruce Lee…was he superhuman or simply…more than human? I like to think the former. I’d also want to know what the heck goes on in his head. Every time he speaks, I have no idea what he’s trying to tell me. Well, not all the time, I know what he means about water. “Be water my friend.”

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Leah Walker is an events manager at Edenvale Academy (really Tusculum College) and has her M.A. in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. She is very close to the Lerner family-and as such, did not have to have her memory wiped at the conclusion of this interview.

photo links to goodreads

Darwin’s Children (Volume 1)

by Natasha Larry

Life can get pretty complicated for any seventeen-year-old girl, but for a home-schooled telepathic girl trying to survive in a prestigious private school in small-town Jonesborough, Tennessee, it can be maddening – especially when her telepathic father keeps eavesdropping on her thoughts!

Jaycie Lerner’s family isn’t the usual mom-dad-kid setup. Jaycie’s mom’s MIA, but Allison, her personal live-in ‘trainer,’ is more than a mom, with her own special abilities, like being able to lift cars and run incredibly fast. And Jaycie’s godfather John is more than persuasive – he can literally convince anyone to do anything.

As far as the rest of the world’s concerned, Jaycie’s on the outside looking in. The townsfolk love Jaycie’s pediatrician father, but she doesn’t fit in with ‘normal’ kids, and she doesn’t really want to. Most of her free time is spent training to keep her telekinetic and telepathic powers under control. But there’s one thing she can’t control – and that’s her feelings, especially when her best friend Matt is nearby. If only he knew what she was truly capable of…

Everything seems to be status quo for Jaycie until she receives a cryptic message from a stranger and meets a very unusual girl new to Jonesborough. Then all hell breaks loose!

Giveaway time!

Natasha has generously offered up a signed paperback copy of her book!

Rules:

• US only
• must be a follower of my blog (I will check!)
• leave a comment on this post with an email address!

That’s it!  I will pick a winner on Monday!  Have a great day, lovelies!

ABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.