I have been granted the honor of featuring a fabulous indie author on the Apothecary this week. Along with Ritesh Kala’s Book Reviews and Urban Fantasy Reviews. With Charlotte E. English as our focus we will be hosting interviews, sneak peaks into her new novel and even giveaways! Speaking of the latter, Ritesh Kala has a fabulous giveaway on his blog right now! He is giving away three copies of each Draykon, Lokant and the about to be released final novel in this trilogy, Orlind. He is also giving away two complete sets of the trilogy!! Be sure to head on over and enter to win!

You can read my reviews of Draykon and Lokant, HERE and HERE.

Let the festivities begin!!

It’s not very often that I have the chance to interview a fictional character; even more rare when that character isn’t human. Today’s guest might be small, but he certainly has no trouble getting exactly what he wants. He’s a Gwaystrel. If you don’t know what that is you obviously haven’t read “Draykon” yet. {Ahem…}

—–Be sure to check back for the rest of the Featured Author Posts, as they will ALL be featuring this One Of A Kind Creature.

Hello Rikbeek, welcome to the Apothecary. Charlotte has kindly promised to let you get in as many nibbles as you want this evening should you stick around for this interview. I’d offer the same, but seeing as I’m so far away… you understand of course.

“Thanks, Too-Tall Beth. I accept your apology – as long as some of your blog readers have good blood and are willing to share.”

You and Evastany Glostrum make an interesting pair; despite your tendency to leave permanent scars there appears to be a degree of respect or even affection that keeps you by Eva’s side, if I had to wager a guess I would think there is more to it than her abilities as a summoner. Is there another summoner you could see yourself allied with in a similar manner?

“No. Evastany is an excellent subordinate because she understands her place as a mobile source of warmth and food. And she never tries to pet me or tell me that I am cute. Though lately she has altered her wardrobe and I’m finding it inconvenient.”

Do you bite because you’re naturally grumpy or is there a deeper reason behind it?

“Grumpy? I have the sweetest temper. I only bite because it’s hard to get at the blood otherwise.”

When you first met Eva you were injured; care to share some details about what happened that day?

“I will tell you, but it is a secret from Evastany Too-Tall, all right? It all started when I first bit her. She was roaming about in the Lowers not paying attention – a free meal! And she had the best blood I had ever tasted. Think of your favourite food in the whole world and you will know what I mean. How could I let that get away? I used a convenient thorn bush to rip a little hole in my wing, and landed right in her lap. The rest was easy.”

So it’s all about the blood? But you often go out of your way to help Evastany when she’s in trouble. What’s the reason behind that?

“If Evastany is obliterated then the blood will go away. Also if she gets too sad, her blood sours, so I help with her friends too. It is a simple matter of protecting one’s food source, Too-Tall Beth.”

So it’s all about the blood. Okay, next question Rikbeek. I wouldn’t have thought that you would find a shortig hound worthy of your companionship but during your adventures in the Lowers you stuck quite close; tell us a little about him.

“In fact I like animals much better than too-talls generally. They are much less… towering. I am prone to cold, and Bartel has wonderful fur. He is also a hound of great common sense and stoicism, and he is an excellent conversationalist. When Evastany is busy being heroic, Bartel is my preferred companion. Though I do not mind Too-Tall Tren either.”

Surely you’ve spent more time with Eva than anyone else; what can you share about her that others might not know?

“She is much more soft-hearted than people think. Consider how easy it has been for me to keep her as my food supply. She likes to look after people, and I enjoy taking advantage of that.”

I have one last question before you take your leave. If you’ve been with Eva since her “irresponsible 20’s” you must be at the very least 10-15 years old. Care to divulge your age?

“I am probably older than you, Too-Tall Beth. People ask me how I do it? I tell them, Glostrum blood. A sip a day does wonders for my complexion. If you’re interested, keep an eye on the Glostrum household. There will probably be some new ones quite soon. Perhaps one of them could be your perambulating blood source?”

… Well. That was certainly enlightening. You can never say that Gwaystrels are dishonest creatures — and you now know what will happen if you get just a little bit too close.

If you’re starting to wonder why anyone would ever keep one of these constantly biting, not particularly affectionate creatures around them — look to ‘Draykon’ for the answers.

It is one of the most highly recommended indies that the Apothecary has had the pleasure to feature, and I can guarantee that you won’t find a better source of information on the infamous Rikbeek.