Interview with Daniele Lanzarotta
A Mermaid's Curse
1. What quirky thing do you
catch yourself doing when writing?
I don’t know if you’d
consider this a writing quirk, but I have to have music. If the music stops, I stop.
2. If I came over for
dinner - what would we eat?
Hmm. This is the toughest question ever. It would have to be something easy because I
can’t cook. How about pizza?
Yum, homemade pizza is my favorite!
3. In the movie of your
writing career who will play you?
Well, it would have to be
someone who can be sarcastic. I think
Rachel McAdams.
I had to look her up - I don't see too many movies. She's pretty.
4. What do you do to celebrate
when you finish writing a book?
I start another one.
*Laughs*
Dedicated!
5. Are you still against
jelly beans? If so, what's your favorite color
Skittles?
Haha Yes, I’m still against
jellybeans. I do love skittles though,
especially the purple ones
I like to ask about jellybeans in interviews - she hates them... I only like the yellow ones... we're like kindred spirits!
Synopsis:
Arianna always felt like she didn't belong in the
world where she was born. Ever since she was little, she used to hide behind
the rocks in the sea, and watch the human family who spent their summers on
that island. Over the years, there was nothing she wished more than to be like
them, especially so she could get close to Blake, the human boy who she saw
turn into a troubled teenager and then, an unhappy man. Once her dad grew tired
of her dreams and hopes for a reality that is not her own, Arianna is thrown
into an arranged marriage, and her only way out of it is to make a deal with
the power-hungry man who will give her everything that she has ever dreamed of.
Dreams that turn into nightmares as she watches Blake's world fall apart,
because of her and Blake's inability to control their desires for one another.
***
When I returned, my father was waiting for me and
he wasn’t happy.
“Were you watching the humans again?” he asked in a
cold tone.
I nodded.
He shook his head and sat down. “I worry about
you, Arianna. You have no friends. And then there’s Bram.
He’s a good man and he has been asking you to be his for so long.”
“Dad, I’m not a thing that should ‘belong’ to
someone.”
“That’s not what I meant, Arianna.”
“Isn’t it though? That’s how we live,
Dad. We belong to our parents until we get married and belong to someone
else. That’s not what I want.”
“That’s called tradition, Arianna. Watching
the humans for as long as you have has put ideas into your head that should
never be there. You are not human and never will be. You are my
daughter, and as the ruler of our kingdom, I’ll not allow you to be a bad
example for the others.”
I stood there, speechless. Tears sprung
to my eyes. My dad had never spoken to me as a ruler.
His tone didn’t soften one bit as he
continued. “I can’t take any chances, Arianna. Our kingdom has
questioned my ability to rule ever since your mother left.”
“But you are a good leader. If they don’t see
that—“
“Arianna, enforcing traditions is a part of being a
good King. You should’ve been married two years ago.”
“What are you saying, dad?”
“I’m saying that you’ll marry Bram tomorrow
evening.”
“What? But—There is no time to—”
My failed attempt to find excuses to avoid this
wedding never stood a chance. Father said everything would be ready and
there was no changing his mind.
I turned around to leave.
“Sit down, Arianna,” he said in a firm tone.
Avoiding his gaze, I sat down. I hoped that
if I didn’t argue back, he would come to his senses.
“Lyra, Anthea, Amias!” he yelled.
The three came as fast as they could. There
was a sense of urgency to my father’s voice at that moment. He was using
his ‘ruler voice’, which he rarely did at home.
As soon as they were all in the room, father
started to spill orders. “Lyra, I need you to go find Bram and bring him
to me. Amias, escort my daughter to her room and make sure she doesn’t go
anywhere. Lyra, Arianna is getting married tomorrow evening. Make
sure everything is ready for the ceremony.”
They were all as shocked as I was.
“GO!” Father yelled.
Amias faced me, and I swam to my room with him
following me.
“What did you do to make him so mad?”
I shrugged.
“You were watching the humans again, weren’t you?”
I gave him a cold look hoping that would be enough
for him to leave me alone.
Amias put his hands up. “Sorry. None of
my business, I know.”
I swam into my room, leaving Amias behind along
with the ripples of water that I created as I swam past him.
©2013
Daniele Lanzarotta. May not be reprinted or reproduced in any manner,
written, electronic or otherwise without express permission of author.
For people that don't have an imagination and believe in love or paranormal tales (tails) of mermaids, you might want to steer clear.
I received an ARC of this book by the author in trade for an honest review.
Great interview guys! :)
ReplyDeleteand purple skittles rock!