Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Character Interview with Captain Raphael from Temptation Released!



Thank you so much for having me stop by today. I snuck under Captain Raphael’s defenses (otherwise known as El Angel) and wormed my way onto his ship to talk about what it’s like being a pirate. He’s the hero of Temptation Released, available now from Totally Bound (the um, book is available. Captain Raphael is already taken. Sorry.). There’s no doubt that he’s sexy, and I’m ever grateful he allowed me to sit with him instead of hauling me off when he found me poking around in the galley.

After the interview however, when I asked why he kept a smug smile in place throughout, all he would say was that the chair I sat in, brought back interesting memories of his Lady Elise. Hmmm...that captain...he does have the devil in his eyes and I’m a mix of grateful and jealous that I’m not that dear, sweet woman who captured his heart.

Me: Hello Captain Raphael. Thank you for agreeing to sit with me.
El Angel: Sit with you? (he chuckles low). Was it not you who barged her way onto my ship?

Me: Um, well...let’s move one. You did agree to answer a few questions. The first I want to know is what did you do before you took up piracy? Why did you decided on the new career move?
El Angel: My past isn’t pretty. It was hard and cruel. Mi padre died shortly after I was born and mi madre’s sister had run off to be with an English prig. They wanted nothing to do with us so it was survival at all costs. Piracy was a natural detour with a bonus—this presented me with a way to seek out my black hearted cousin. (He turns his head for a moment. I don’t press for more). 


Me: Okay. Um, let’s see...this is a good one. Pirates are bad lads, we all know that. But what was the naughtiest thing you ever got up to as a boy?
El Angel: Me? I was an angel as a boy and I am an angel as a man. Look at my name. Even my lady will tell you about the delights of heaven I can bestow. Now, you tell me...into what kind of naughtiness can an angel engage? (his gaze is steady and his seductive words sound like a challenge. I am no match for him and scurry to the next question).

Me: Ah, where do you keep your parrot?
El Angel: Lo siento, no parrot for me. I am not one for pets...of the furred and feathered kind that is.

Me: Ooh, here’s one. What’s a swash? And how would you recommend buckling it?
El Angel: (He straightens and speaks like the knowledgeable seafarer that he is). You see, a swash is pretty turbulent. The water, she can be violent and fierce and a wise sailor knows when to steer clear to calmer waters.

Me: So it has nothing to do with piracy? With women?
El Angel: Ah, you play on words. Si, a swash can be similar to a woman. But with turbulent women, sometimes cutting through and immersing yourself is the best course of action. In this case, as I’ve found with my Lady Elise, the buckle has to be secure and tight.

Me: You mean you...? Oh, never mind. Next question. Apart from you, who is the scariest pirate on the high seas?
El Angel: Nearly all of them, truth be told. I don’t think I’m all that scary. My goal, after all, was to exact revenge against one despicable and cowardly cur of a man. If someone got in the way of that, so be it.

Me: In your own words, tell us what your first impression was when you met Lady Elise.
El Angel: Dios mio, she was a temptation such as I have never encountered. And such courage and beauty and defiance. She set my blood to race that afternoon and it hasn’t cooled yet.

Me: If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what three items would you want to take with you?
El Angel: Lady Elise, rope and...a knife. What? We’d have to eat, wouldn’t we?

Me: I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to speak with me captain. One last tidbit. Have you done the Totally Bound Jolly Rogered quiz yet? What was your score?
El Angel: Quiz? What quiz? Oh, you mean test. (he snorts) I have no need of your test. But it amuses my lady so I will no doubt find myself indulging her wishes.
As I am escorted off his ship, I challenge you. Why not give the test a go yourself and see how good you are at knowing your pirate lore? Check out this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YWVMRQC.

Your own pirate treasure: You can read Temptation Released today from Totally Bound. After July 11, it will be available from your favorite ebook seller.

You say you want more? Of course! There are three other talented authors indulging in pirate tales. Check them out:
Right of Salvage by Ashe Barker
Ruined By The Pirate by Wendi Zwaduk
The Running Game by Meg Harding

*Pirate sightings*: In celebration of the general release of the Jolly Rogered stories, there will be a Facebook party on July 15. Join me, Meg, Wendi and Ashe as we delve into all things pirate. https://www.facebook.com/events/1435843353343133/?fref=ts
We’ll have fun, games, and a chance to win all four Jolly Rogered ebooks!

About Ayla
Handed a historical romance at the age of twelve, Ayla Ruse fell in love with love and with happy endings.  Having grown up living life tasting a little of this and a little of that has not changed this attitude, but it’s expanded her views.  Love isn’t always happy and it isn’t always the way a person “thinks it should be.”  Sometimes it’s outside the box, and it’s always a challenge. 

The challenge of finding and holding onto this love is what drives Ayla in her fiction.  She likes stories that strip love – among other things - down to the skin and tests the attachment and beliefs of the participants.  Sometimes that test can come in the form of multiple partners, overcoming a desperate fear or even being sexually inventive. 


Ayla loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her through her website at www.aylaruse.com, blog www.aylaruse.blogspot.com or on Facebook. For more links, visit her about.me page. 

2 comments:

Ayla Ruse said...

Thank you Wendi for keeping me sane today. Loved visiting with you!

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

you are quite welcome. I had a blast :-)