Morning all! I’m Gareth Flynn and today sees the release of Ghosts, the second book in the Power of Zero series.
Jackie usually drags Jack out to help with the promotions, but he isn’t always the most gracious about it. And I probably pointed that out once too often, because this time around she’s told me to get my arse out of bed and fill in for her, while she’s a guest on the Dreamspinner Press Blog.
She doesn’t seem to realise that there are worse things than sitting down with a pot of tea and a plate of warm morello cherry custard danishes and talk about the last year.
A year ago, Jackie had no idea that the story she wanted to tell would really be a series. I mean she knew it in her head, but just because it’s in her head doesn’t mean it will turn into an actual book, right? Fortunately, enough of you loved the story she told in Job Hunt for Dreamspinner Press to take a chance on the follow-ups, Ghosts and House Hunt.
So, first of all… thank you to everyone who read Job Hunt, rated the book and left comments. We’re here because of you. We’re also here because of everyone who asked Jackie about Nico and Daniel. That’s how Ghosts came about. Jackie loves good food almost as much as I do, but Christmas and family stuff are about as high on her list as they are on Jack’s. Nico and Daniel, though… Those two are amazing. Strong and incredibly brave. I know adults who’d run screaming if faced with what those two had to handle and Jack…
I love Ghosts for a lot of reasons. Jack overthinking things and tying himself in knots is cute, you know? The way he suddenly hits on things, out of the middle of some thought that has nothing to do with anything – I can watch that forever. Then, of course, winter is a time for cooking… as is summer, spring and autumn… but there’s something about a warm, well-lit kitchen with Jack sprawled out in the window-seat playing guitar and drinking wine while I’ve got half a dozen things on the go, old favourites and experiments both. It’s peaceful, and productive and… for me that’s what family should be.
That’s what Ghosts is, you know? A celebration of family. Not the kind of family we all have to put up with at times, but the kind of family we make for ourselves.
If that means that I roast an extra goose so Jack, Nico and Daniel can have a picnic while everyone else has Christmas pudding, then that’s fine. If it means that I teach Daniel how to cook pancakes at three in the morning, that’s fine too. The people you’ve chosen to have in your family deserve it. Though I have to admit that I was just a tad grumpy when I had to leave Jack in bed, all rumpled and delicous and warm, and go cook breakfast for Rose and the crew… but that’s how it works and we deal with it.
Jack will tell you that families don’t make sense to him. In some ways, that’s certainly true. He was hurt when he was far too young to deal and he’s closed himself off from all except a very few people. On a normal day, he’s about as trusting as an alley cat. But despite the snark and the abrasive coating he sports, Jack does understand loyalty. He has it in spades. So when he finally decides to make his own family, it will be a strong, supportive one that can weather anything.
Oh… sorry, did you want that last danish? Help yourself. I better get cracking. It’s a work day, Jack’s gonna be down soon and he’s not alive before he’s had coffee. Looking at the weather, he’d probably not say no to a tray of danishes, either. They won’t keep us dry, but they’ll at least keep us warm on the way across town.
What? Oh yes. Release Day stuff…
There’s a book blast going on Twitter today and a giveaway. Jackie’s talking about Ghosts and food – and sharing one of my favourite recipes – over at the Dreamspinner Press Blog, and then next week there’s a blog tour…. and if you haven’t got your copy of Ghosts yet, here are a few places where you can do just that.
I think that was the lot. Have a great day – hope the weather is better where you are!
Pie & Mash and a Bathtub full of Beer
Congrats on the release of Ghosts! I toast you and Gareth and Jack with a full pot of coffee, and if you’d be so kind to send Danish my way, I’d certainly not turn it down!
Well done, Jackie!
Virtual Danishes are on the way! 🙂