What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?
Ahhh, it’s been a while. I always thought I had a fulfilling life—a career I loved, loads of friends and acquaintances in Los Angeles and the fringes of celebrity events. I was successful and had worked my way to the top of the gossip magazine world when I was hired as the Managing Editor of SNAP, the world’s largest and most well-known celebrity news organization. Then Ms. Drier found me and…
What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?
Probably my take-charge attitude. I’d always had a clear idea of what was needed to make SNAP a stand-out in a packed magazine and communication field and I pushed my staff to be the best. We worked closely with the broadcast version of SNAP, a daily evening half-hour of celeb dos, don’ts, and changing couples, and did it with taste and a sure hand. We were always careful to steer clear of any misinformation and fact-checked every one of our stories. Even though I’m not in a day-to-day role anymore, every story is checked and cross-checked for accuracy and honesty.
What do you like least about yourself?
My initial fears of being left out of my husband’s life.
What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?
It was my own doing, but I pestered my husband, Jean-Louis, to take me with him on a raid on the Huzars compound. The Kandeskys and the Huzars were centuries-old enemy vampire clans and Jean-Louis wanted to wipe the Huzars out absolutely. I bugged him until he gave in and let me go along on the raid, but I was captured by the head of the Huzars and subjected to rape and torture.
Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?
Not actually argue, but I do wonder how and why she puts me in some positions. Now that I‘m a vampire (yes, I let Jean-Louis change me), I’d like to use my strengths, but she keeps me in Jean-Louis’ shadow. I’m capable of action on my own, but she takes Jean-Louis’ side as he needs to feel he’s in charge.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing Jean-Louis and the Kandeskys. Jean-Louis seems to have no fear and gets into physical situations where I feel he’ll be killed. Then the old vampire blood takes over and he heals, almost overnight. But I’m afraid that one day he’s going to run into someone using silver ammunition.
What makes you happy?
Working with Jean-Louis on schemes to strengthen and expand the Kandesky’s hold on the business reach of Kandesky Enterprises. SNAP is the flagship entity, but they also own munitions factories in the Czech Republic, vast cattle ranches in Argentina, textile design and production companies in Eastern Europe. The former USSR is a huge untapped market for SNAP and the Kandesky Enterprises businesses.
If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?
I’d say “yes” to Jean-Louis faster. I was afraid of marrying and changing into a vampire. Giving up Southern California and the sunshine? Giving up food I loved? Going to live in Ukraine? When Jean-Louis told me he’d marry me even if I didn’t change, I knew he was a forever choice. And of course, if I didn’t change, I’d age and he wouldn’t. After all, he’s more than 500 years old already. Turns out my fears were groundless, becoming a vampire only added to my joy in life.
Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?
I do get irritated at some of the demons. These are otherworld entities who are a mixture of paranormal shape-shifters and human genes. They’ve been with and served the Kandeskys for centuries and sometimes forget that I’m now a senior Kandesky. When I give them an order, occasionally they say, “Let me check with Jean-Louis,” and that frosts me but we’re working it out. Sandor, the head of the demons, has looked after Jean-Louis for almost 500 years and he’s now beginning to accept me as a Kandesky.
Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?
I don’t know about trading places, but I’d love to take on some of Pen Kandesky, the Baroness’, traits. She let Stefan, a minor trader in Hungary, change her almost 450 years ago and is now so safe and so serene in her role that she allowed him to take on her father’s title. She exudes calmness and grace and makes everything around her seem effortless.
Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?
She was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. During her career in journalism—as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series. She is the past president of Capitol Crimes, the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime; currently serves as president of the NorCal chapter, and co-chaired Bouchercon 2020 the world’s oldest and largest convention for mystery writers and fans.
Her seventeen published books include the Amy Hobbes Newspaper Mysteries, her eleven-volume paranormal romance series SNAP: The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, and her Stained Glass Mysteries. Readers can learn more about her and her books at her website.
What's next for you?
The Kandeskys have moved into geopolitical waters after Russia attacked Ukraine and they’ve decided that a move to Los Angeles will allow them to shift the focus of SNAP more on political issues and understanding how false information can shift the balances of power in the world. Besides, I miss SoCal, there’s a brashness and immediacy, and change is always just around the corner.
A Kandesky Vampire Chronicle, Book 11
Tension mounts around the world as the Covid pandemic takes hold, pitting nations against each other for vaccines and lockdowns. And against a misinformation campaign designed by Jazz, the Kandeskys begin to take on Russia, not realizing that Putin has plans of his own. Maxie and Jean-Louis do shuttle diplomacy between NATO and the EU, Brussels and Kyiv, working to stalemate any Russian incursions into Ukraine and bolstering the West’s stance against Putin’s dreams of empire.
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