InterFiction Gazette: Interview with Rae
Good morning, dear Reader! Today I get to introduce you to a very sweet character, one who has completely stolen my heart and I cannot wait to get my hands on her books and read more about her story. I hope you enjoy the interview, and make sure you scroll all the way down to the bottom, because the author is also having an awesome giveaway, and I know you won't want to miss that.
God, please look after Adriel. Keep him safe and keep him from acting foolish. And please help him to be able to find me.
Rae knew she could trust God to look after both of them. It was all she had now.
The Time Captives have been reunited. The rightful king has been freed. Now all that remains is to defeat the strytes who still hold a tyrannical rule over the people of Calhortz. But with their lack of soldiers, it’s a task that is easier said than done. They need allies, but are they worth it when it requires facing ghosts from their pasts?
Returning to his home country only brings the loss of Adriel’s family to the forefront of his mind. His determination to find Rae has never ceased, but now that determination could potentially destroy all that he and the Time Captives have been working towards. And his new-found faith may not be able to withstand the challenge.
Will they be able to set aside their personal struggles for the sake of the freedom of all or will they allow their pasts to consume them? Will they manage to win back Crannig Castle from the rule of the strytes? The fate of Calhortz hangs in the balance.
Crannig Castle is the final book of the Time Captives trilogy, a tale of faith, family, fantasy, and a fight for truth and freedom.
So, without further ado, how about we go chat with Rae for a bit?
I walk into the kitchen yard of a plantation house. Before me I see a little girl, about six or seven years old. She stares up at me, a sweet, solemn expression on her face. I kneel down on the ground and look her in the eye. "Hi, Rae. I've been sent by the InterFiction Gazette, they said I could ask you a few questions. Would that be okay?"
Rae fiddles with the hem of her dress, clearly nervous. “My master won’t like it if it takes time away from Talia. But I think I have a little time while she’s getting fitted for her new dress.” She looks up, trying to force a smile.
I smile encouragingly at her. "Wonderful. So, let's begin with a little bit of your background for my readers back home, shall we? Can you give me a little bit of your life story? Who is Rae?"
She shrugs, trying not to fidget with her dress. “I’m the youngest of six children, but I barely know most of them. I’m a slave.” She looks down at her hands. “I used to have to do field work at the plantation where I was born. I couldn’t do most of it, and Adriel would defend me. He used to be whipped all the time.”
Rae swipes at her face. Her voice trembles when she continues. “My older siblings were sold off one after another till finally Mummy was sold and Daddy died, leaving just me and Adriel. He’s my best brother and he always did his best to protect me, but he always got whipped for it.” She bites her lip. Memories cloud the solemn brown eyes that have seen far too much for her tender years. “Adriel doesn’t know how to control his temper, and he doesn’t believe in God, so I worry about him now that we’re sold apart. I miss him a lot. I need him. And my Mummy.”
My vision clouds a bit and I try to brush away tears of my own with a surreptitious swipe of my hand. "That...” I can’t continue, so I clear my throat and try again, “that sounds like a pretty rough life. I also heard that you just got back from seeing your older brother in his first gladiator fight. I'm sure that must have been tough to watch. Can you tell me a little bit about what it was like and how you feel about it?"
Tears well up in her eyes and she squeezes her skirt into a wad. “It was awful. Adriel almost died.” Her chest heaves. “They made him fight a dragon. I’m sure he got burned. I hadn’t seen him in months and I was sure I was going to watch him die. And then I’d never see him again. He got away, but he was with the dragon, and I don’t know what happened to him. I’m so scared for him.”
I shake my head slowly. "I can't even imagine. I'm sure you'd do anything to get him out of there. Tell me, what keeps you going? What gives you hope in moments like this?"
In spite of her nervousness, her response is quite clear and immediate. “God. I know He’s in control and even as bad as things are, He has a reason for it. He loves me and He loves Adriel and the rest of my family too, and He’ll take care of us even when we can’t take care of each other.”
I nod. "That is good to hear. I’m glad you know that God is in control, no matter what. Can you tell me a little bit about the family you work for and the girl you are a companion for? Do they treat you well?"
Rae draws in a deep breath. “They’re much like every other stryte family in Calhortz. They see everyone who isn’t a stryte as less important and treat us like that. Talia is spoiled and I have to do whatever she wants, but I don’t really know how. I never got a chance to play like she does. Only if I don’t, I could be sold. It’s been worse since Adriel’s fight, since she loved it and wants to play Arena all the time. It would be better if they were Christians, but they aren’t.”
I reach out to pat her shoulder, feeling an overwhelming and very out-of-character urge to swoop her up in my arms and kidnap her from her current story. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate that, though, unless I could take her brother, too, and I don't have enough time. My InterFiction badge is already beginning to blink with its familiar blue light. "Thank you so much for talking with me, Rae, you've been a wonderful character to chat with. Just one final question: if you could change just one thing about your own story, what would you ask your author to change or fix?"
“Well…” Rae rests her finger on her lips in thought. “I think I would have my Daddy still alive and my whole family together again. I wouldn’t mind the strytes so much as long as we’re all together. But I think I’d better go back inside in case Talia wants me. Good bye.” She dashes off towards the house, glancing back over her shoulder with a hesitant smile.
I watch her as long as I can while the world dissolves around me. This is one story I know I'm going to have to read.
So, dear Reader, are you as intrigued as I am? Here are some places where you can purchase this third installment of Morgan Huenke's "Time Captives" series.
Kindle ~ Paperback ~ Signed Copy
You can also find her on Goodreads
Also, as an added bonus, the first two books in the trilogy are available FOR FREE on Kindle today through November 11th, you can pick them up by clicking on the links below:
Creighton Hill (Time Captives book 1)
The Crossways (Time Captives book 2)
About the Author
Morgan Elizabeth Huneke is a homeschool graduate who lives in Georgia. She has enjoyed creating characters and writing stories since early childhood. Books have always been a big part of her life, never more so than when working at the local library. Her other interests include reading, playing the piano and violin, and politics.
You can connect with Morgan on her website, blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest.
Giveaway!
Join in the excitement of Crannig Castle and enter to win a special prize! The first prize winner will receive signed copies of the entire Time Captives trilogy. The second prize winner will receive a signed copy of Crannig Castle. The third prize winner will receive an eCopy of Crannig Castle in the eBook format of his/her choice. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.