That demon hunter is mine

8.22.07

I have to admit I was gobsmacked to discover a book had been written detailing my adventures with Jack Harris. And my romance! I mean, there are details in the story. You know, those kind of details. But after I read the story, it was kind of neat to remember how we first met and the days that followed. It was me who dared that first kiss. Oh yeah, I'm not afraid of too much, and snogging with a handsome lug? Glad I did it. Jack might try to convince you that he was all about the job at the time, no time for silliness and all that.

Trust me, Jack wanted me as much as I wanted him.

He still wants me. Lucky bloke. :-) And though it's been a tough few months following our adventures inside the Cadre (Jack did not come out with all his memory intact), every day gets better. Because he does remember me. He's just startled to remember, and then he accepts that the memory is true, and well...life is good.

So I've heard that Damien Hancock is on his way to the Cadre. (shudder) I'm thinking I'm going to vacate and skedaddle off to London when that dude arrives. He's a vampire, don't you know. Not that I have anything against paras of any sort, but... Well, he's a vampire. He sucks people's blood! 'Nuf said.

A vacation in the city spent sleeping late mornings snuggled against Jack's big, muscled body is my kind of heaven. He's real hero stuff, ladies. And if you want to learn more about how we met, then pick up a copy of the book FAMILIAR STRANGER. It's pretty accurate. Though it baffles me how the author learned some of our more intimate details.

Dreams of elusive black cats

7.12.07

The mission is over. I successfully tracked Ba'al Beryth and eradicated that bloody demon. But the details are foggy.

I reported back to P-Cell for debriefing. It lasted twelve hours. And I had nothing to say. I forgot things. A lot of details. My debriefing commander seemed sure I had gained access to the Cadre, that I had communicated with key members of the organization. I just...don't remember it. What's that about?

I've been sitting here in my home pondering what the hell just happened to me. My life seems fractured. Like something is missing. P-Cell has put me on stand-by. I'm not being assigned missions until they've reviewed my case. I feel so useless. I know there are demons out there, tormenting the world, destroying innocent lives. I need to go out, salt grenades in hand, and take care of them.

But that something missing. It's like a perfume that lingers long after a woman has left a room. But I'm not sure. Lemons? What was stolen from my mind? Who was stolen from my mind?

I tap my little finger on the coffee table for the hundredth time. A hematite ring sits just above the first knuckle. I don't know where it came from. But I feel as if it's important. I know this ring. But how?

Blimey, but I must be going mad. I can't sleep for long, and I'm anxious to get out and back to my job. And I've been having dreams when I do catch a few winks. There's a woman. I can't see her face, but she reaches out to me, and I can't reach. Then she turns and walks away. And as the sun brightens about her silhouette, the shape of her changes, and then a black cat scampers off into the world.

Hawthorn tea and naked men

7.06.07

Oh, that Raskin. He's a charmer, isn't he? I like them charming.

One of the really charming ones got away from me recently. Called himself Jack Harris. And he was...naked. Oh yes. Bare as the day he was born. Nice bit of bare, too. I could hardly drink my tea, I could. Well, I was so startled to see an uninitiated mortal in the forest, really. I've seen my share of naked men in my day, trust me. Or not.

My job requires I be discerning, and that I protect those who are my own from outsiders. But there are days, I'm unsure who is on my side, and who isn't. The Cadre? Call themselves benevolent, they do. Not so sure about that one. Else they wouldn't have taken away Jack's—well, I can't say, now can I? But I hear there's a book out there that tells it all.

Interview with Michele Hauf

Greetings my fans! Raskin Rubythorn, here. Intrepid faery reporter on the street! (I do love that title. It's so noir.) I have a treat for you today. After having Familiar Stranger read to me (only because I prefer to lounge and not strain my eyes), I was able to track down the lovely author and ask her a few questions. She was gracious and most cooperative, and I present our discussion to you now.

RR: Ah, Miss Hauf, I feel so welcome in your presence. You, I can tell, are a true Believer.

MH: Absolutely. And I'm absolutely tickled to be chatting with you right now. You're exactly as I've always imagined faeries to be, Raskin. Charming, handsome...

RR: (preening)

MH: And malicious.

RR: What? I find your judgment of me quite disturbing. I am magnanimous! Splendid, even. And never malicious.

MH: The story tells otherwise.

RR: Your opinion. Now about that story. Tell me exactly how you came to know the Cadre and P-Cell so well. And how did you ever learn about the happenings within the enchanted forest? That is not a place mortals enter, and then find easy passage away. I wager it was Belladonna, that crafty old coot.

MH: I have my sources.

RR: So you are going to be sly with me? I can do sly. I bet the readers would love to hear how very little you resemble that author photo you have posted on your web site. Ha!

MH: I thought we were talking about Familiar Stranger?

RR: Ah, I knew you would avoid that one. Very well then, the story. A delightful tale of mismatched lovers come together to fight the forces of evil, blah, blah, blah.

MH: Do I have to sit for this? Who made you the interviewer? Can I get a new interviewer?

RR: That's intrepid reporter on the street. Now, let's get to the important stuff, shall we? Why Jack?

MH: And not you?

RR: Exactly.

MH: I needed a strong, virile, ready-for-action type of hero that was sexy, smart and sensitive.

RR: (pouting)

MH: Though I could be persuaded to write about a particular faery hero some day. The one I hear they call the Enchanter?

RR: Yes! That would be moi. So, let's talk film. I presume the story will be put up on the big screen?

MH: No options yet, but there is always hope.

RR: There is only one actor out there who can play Raskin Rubythorn.

MH: Do tell?

RR: Jonathon Rhys Meyers. The man is a master.

MH: And you do look a lot like him. I can go with that choice.

RR: Darling, I do not look like him. He looks like me.

MH: Sorry, my bad. I'd cast Jason Statham as Jack Harris. He was definately the man I had in mind when I was putting the story down on paper.

RR: Yes, whatever. What about Mersey Bane? My adorable kitten.

MH: That you kept trapped in a silver cage because you're such an enchanting fellow?

RR: Sarcasm does not suit you.

MH: I think I'd like Angelina Jolie as Mersey, though she was a conglomeration of faces in my head.

RR: So what about that ending? I'm betting your readers are going to take you to task for that interesting bit.

MH: The ending......is exactly the way it should be. You know how the Cadre works, Raskin.

RR: They say they're benevolent, but only when it suits them. Yes, I understand you were only writing things as they actually happened. If you ask me, Jack Harris got off by the skin of his teeth. I just do not understand what Mersey sees in that muscled lug of a gun-toting bloke.

MH: Muscles. A bit of a lug. Sexy. Sensitive. An excellent lover—

RR: Yes, yes, you are going all moon-eyed on me now. Concentrate. Stick to the topic.

MH: That topic being you?

RR: Is there anything else of interest? I think not. So what about the next books in the series? The ones written by Cynthia Cooke, Nina Bruhns and Pat White? Will I be in those, too? (I should think so; if they wish to sell a lot of copies they'll need my charming presence to fully flesh out the stories.)

MH: I'm not telling. You'll just have to read them to find out.

RR: But I can't—

MH: Read? Oh, Raskin, it's okay. I won't tell anyone.

RR: I am quite sure you would have trouble reading my language.

MH: I'm sure I would. So can I close by telling everyone they can find the book at their local bookstore in the Harlequin/Silhouette section? It's only available for a month, but then I've got a September release titled KISS ME DEADLY about vampires and witches that should appeal to readers of dark, sexy romance.

RR: Vampires? Ugg. Now you have utterly horrified me. I must end this interview now. Go buy the book, because I am in it. That is all they need to know. Good morrow to you all!