(Interview/Excerpt/Review) The Mayfair Moon By: J.A. Redmerski

The Mayfair Moon-Darkwoods Trilogy #1

By: J.A. Redmerski

Genre: Paranormal YA

Synopsis

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

Interview

What inspired you to write The Mayfair Moon?

I searched and searched for a YA werewolf book that depicted werewolves in that beastly, terrifying, Underworld-style sort of way, but to no avail. That’s what I wanted to read! When I couldn’t find any YA books out there like that, that’s when I just decided I was going to have to write my own and so The Darkwoods Trilogy was born.

How long did it take to write?

When I started it, I stopped after the third chapter and put it away for a long time, but I’d have to say it took about 5-6 months.

What was the research process like?

Researching is one of my favorite things about writing of existing places. I did a lot of research on Hallowell and Augusta, Maine, Athens, Georgia as well as Serbia. I try my best to get every detail right, but without actually living there or at least visiting, it can be difficult to be as accurate as I’d like.

Which actors do you see playing your main characters?

Michelle Trachtenberg fits Adria Dawson almost perfectly, but I admit I never thought of what actors or actresses any of my characters resembled until after the book was published and other people started asking me this question. Kevin Zegers – Isaac Mayfair. Jessica Stam – Zia and

Are there any messages that you want your readers to see; what is that?

My world of werewolves is very dark, dangerous and complex. Yes, The Darkwoods Trilogy is considered YA, but it’s definitely adult crossover material and a lot of my readers are over twenty, it seems. The story is based around a seventeen-year-old girl in a world of deadly werewolves, but there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to the trilogy. It’s definitely not just a ‘teen novel’, there is a lot to be said about the complexity of the world in The Darkwoods Trilogy and it’s safe to say that readers will see A LOT more of what I’m referring to in book two, KINDRED, when it comes out in July.

When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

I started my first novel around the age of thirteen and never stopped. I’ve been writing something for twenty-three years, whether novels or world and character building, to poetry and lyrics. Writing has been the one consistent thing throughout my life.

Is there a place you especially like to write?

Definitely in my bedroom and preferably with my kids in school. I’ve tried writing in café’s and bookstores and even the library, but there are just too many distractions.

What are you currently working on?

I just started book three in The Darkwoods Trilogy titled THE BALLAD OF ARAMEI! I’m so excited to finally be on the last book. Book two, KINDRED, will be released July 20, 2012.

Who are you ultimate favorite Authors?

Hands-down, I’ll always love Neil Gaiman, Anne Rice and J.K. Rowling more than anyone. They have inspired me so much!

What are you reading now?

I’m actually reading the classic, BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA. I love stepping back into the classic’s every now and then to freshen that literary vein which helped influence my reasons to write in the first place.

Some Random Q’s

- Film you can see again & again; it never gets old? Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings

- Which film are you really looking forward to see that has not come out in theaters? The Hobbit

- What film you have seen this summer that's really well made? I haven’t seen any yet, but I’m looking forward to Snow White & the Huntsman and Prometheus.

- Favorite guilty pleasure television show?

LOL, honestly? Million Dollar Listing New York.

Thank you very much for answering these Q’s and thanks for your time!

Thank you for having me, Marissa. :)

Excerpt

“We overheard you talking,” Rachel added. Two girls, werewolves, stood behind her in the hallway; their smiles just as slippery. “I thought by now you’d propose the Blood Bond to your precious human.”

Isaac was on his feet so fast I hardly noticed. He stood toe to toe with her, noses practically touching. Her defiance was frightening. I didn’t have to see his eyes to know they had changed colors again.

The two girls backed away, the smiles dissolving from their faces at once.

“What is she talking about?” I said, but he didn’t answer.

Without moving her head, Rachel averted her attention to me. “They say that if one survives the transformation, the other often can too. Don’t know why you won’t just Turn her, Isaac.”

“One what?” I said, baffled.

I felt the frustration boiling inside of me.

“If you don’t leave now,” Isaac threatened, “my brother’s approval will no longer protect you.”

Rachel’s eyes slowly moved back to face Isaac. Staring each other down, I got the worst feeling from the silence. I stood up carefully, but I couldn’t take it anymore; I wanted answers.

“Blood Bond?” I said, walking up to them. “Isaac, please tell me what she’s talking about.”

Still, he ignored me.

Rachel broke her stance first, leaving Isaac there stiff and ready to kill her. She reached out and touched my cheek. I remained as I was, refusing to let her intimidate me anymore.

“You are pretty,” she began, “I give you that much, but that’s all you have.”

My hand to Isaac’s chest stopped him, but I knew he wouldn’t honor my request for much longer. It was only because of me that he hadn’t already killed her, that he hadn’t turned into the violent, brutal creature that he was.

“Rachel,” I said, “What are you saying?” I really just wanted her to be honest with me, stop playing her hateful, puzzling games for once. I hoped the sincerity was visible in my face. I hoped she would respect it.

Her hand fell away; it had felt soft against my skin.

Nathan stood in the doorway then and Rachel’s posture changed. Still defiant as ever to Isaac, but now with less mockery. She held her chin high. The girls who had been with her, disappeared.

“Anymore of this, Rachel,” said Nathan, “and you’re on your own with my brother. Do you understand?”

She didn’t answer. One last look at me before she slithered out of the room. Nathan passed Isaac an apologetic nod before following her, shutting the door behind him.

“She’s more trouble than she’s worth,” he growled, still staring fiercely at the door.

Review

Oh my, this was a well thought out and creative story. I enjoyed reading from Adria's POV; going along her journey from living an almost normal life in Georgia, but it then it gets disrupted by one scary and intense event that leads up to she and her sister, Alex, moving to Maine. Once they arrive at their Uncle's house, Alex is distant, and just has a strange demeanor. Later with the Mayfair family's help, including from cute Isaac, she learns that Alex is not her sister anymore, the sister that Adria has lived with all her life. Apart from that scenario, there are interesting and thrilling events that lead to the end of this first book, and let me tell you, once I was finished, I immediately wanted to read more! The writing was very good and this first book seems to be the start of a promising trilogy, so I definitely look forward to be reading the rest! :)

My Rating: 4.5/5

I would say a PG-13 Rating

About The Author

J.A. Redmerski is a Contemporary Fantasy and YA writer - author of THE MAYFAIR MOON and DIRTY EDEN. She’s a mother, werewolf & zombie fanatic, book addict and a happy hermit obsessed with the Universe. Oh, and AMC's "The Walking Dead".

Jessica started her first novel at the age of thirteen and has been writing something ever since. Generally, she loves characters in life and on paper. She pays attention to people, especially those whose personalities make them different from the rest of us: the drug addict roaming the Laundromat that talks to himself, the young, inattentive mother in the park with the meanest kid on the playground - (the entire cast of 'Swamp People') - characters fascinate Jessica and she hopes that it shows in her literary work.

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