I’ve never had an immortal on the blog, so this is going to be fun! M.D. Neu is interviewing Juliet, the immortal from his story The Calling, and it’s a real heart-to-heart. Want to know whether she loves to go to work on Monday mornings, what she regrets or loves she’d done before she traded her life for immortality? You can find out here…
I want to thank Jackie for giving me this opportunity to return to her Blog. It’s exciting to be back and I’m thrilled that I could pin down Juliet de Exter one of my primary characters in The Calling for a chit-chat. Even though the story is Duncan’s journey in becoming an Immortal, Juliet is key to the process. Several people have asked me about her so now felt like a good time to share this interview I did with her. I hope you enjoy.
Question: Juliet, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself. Please keep it simple.
Juliet: First, I must say this is an interesting idea. You Interviewing me, so that people get the opportunity to learn more about me. I will admit it makes me wonder what you have planned. But, that isn’t why we are here today so it’ll be my honor to sit down and chat.
As people may know I’m Juliet de Exter and I’m an Immortal. I’m in charge of the North American Territory, which means that I represent all the Immortals in Canada, the United States and Mexico on the Council of Light, which I’m the… Chair of. I guess you would say. The Council of Light is the world governing body for all Light Immortals. I’ve been on the council… well let’s just say a long time and leave it at that.
I keep my home in Los Altos Hills, California, United States of America. For those who do not know the area it is in the west hills of the area known as Silicon Valley by the lovely City of San Jose. It is a breathtaking location and I cannot imagine living anywhere else.
For actual work, I run the Lumière d’espoir Foundation which, gives money to local non-profits and awards scholarships to help people achieve their goals. Its work I’m very proud of and has done quite a bit of good in our community.
I grew up in the part of the world now known as France, when I was born however it was part of the Holy Roman Empire, but that was a long time ago and you asked me to keep it simple.
I would like to add that I have lived in several other locations; Germany, Japan, England, Massachusetts, and others. Also, I have traveled extensively as you can imagine. I believe it’s important for everyone to travel. The world is an amazing place, and it is up to each of us to get out there and explore.
M.D. Neu: Thank you for that introduction.
Juliet: You are quite welcome.
Question: Clearly, you have a busy life. That said, if you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
Juliet: Oh what a lovely thought. As snooty as this might sound to everyone, I would make arrangements to spend the day at the Hotel Valencia in Santana Row enjoying their Spa. Then maybe in the evening I would drive over to the coast and walk along the beach and watch the lights on the Board Walk. Sometimes the simplest moments are the best. And there is nothing like walking along the surf and sand.
M.D. Neu: That does sound amazing and restful.
Question: You mentioned sounding ‘snooty’, what impression do you make on people when they first meet you? How about after they’ve known you for a while?
Juliet: I try not to worry too much about what people think of me. It’s none of my business what your opinion of me is. I learned that a long time ago. Of course, I suppose, people, at first, think I’m a rich snob who has had it easy for her whole life. That couldn’t be any farther from the truth. I may live comfortably now, but that has only been the case. I was born to a poor family, we had dirt floors and shared a single room… I guess you would call it a hovel. But that a long time ago. Needless to say mine and everyone’s living standards have improve since then.
I think, once they get to know me they realize I’m a somewhat down to Earth person. Granted I am particular about a great many things and I believe some old ways are best, such as using actual mail. I hope people will see that I also have a fun sense of humor at least I hope they do. I’m also very sensitive and carrying about those close to me. Even some Dark Immortals.
Question: What are you most ashamed of in your life?
Juliet: Oh dear, there is a lot. I haven’t always been kind to those that are not either human or immortal. Witches especially, and for that I’m greatly ashamed. I also tried to assist the Muwekma Ohlone Nation back when the Spanish came to California… I think I may have done more harm than good. Still I respect them greatly and do what I can to assist them, even now. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention about a hundred years ago there was an incident that occurred with a local political figure in San Francisco that required the assistance of Victor Rey, which I’m none too pleased about. Victor takes pleasure in reminding me from time-to-time of his help. It wouldn’t be so bad if the family wasn’t still around today, but they are. Sadly, I’m far from perfect.
M.D. Neu: Sounds like there is a story there.
Juliet: Well, you would be the one to tell it. Not I.
Question: Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?
Juliet: My parents… I don’t particular hold warm feelings for my parents. You see, I had a baby brother. He was born different. They called him a demon spawn. Today we would recognize it as Down Syndrome. He was a beautiful angel, but… Well back then. You see it’s not something I can easily forgive, because even back then I knew better. I watched my baby brother, whom they never named, take his first breath then a few weeks later take his last breath at the hand of my parents…
This is not something I share easily because I would like to believe no one could be that cruel, but it happened. I like to believe my baby brother is an angel of heaven and watches down on me.
Question: So, you believe in God? What do you suppose God thinks of you?
Juliet: Of course, I believe in God, I have seen too much in my life not to. I know this may strike people as odd for an Immortal to believe in such a being, but I grew up human, and with a strong faith. I would like to think that God is much less judgmental than we think they are. If God created us, and I believe they did, then how could they damn us for what they created. Clearly there are exceptions, but that is pure evil and I don’t think God has a hand in pure evil.
Question: Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done?
Juliet: It’s not so much about things I’ve not done, but more about experiences I will never have. I will never know the joy and the pain of giving birth to a child. I will also never savor the taste of chocolate, or ice cream, or meatloaf. Food when I was human was nothing like it is now and that is something I will never get to enjoy. Oh, I also wouldn’t mind going scuba diving, but believe it or not I’m not a strong swimmer and there are a lot of creatures in the ocean I wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with.
Question: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone?
Juliet: I’ve had to take life and there is nothing worse than that. It’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone. As much I would like to believe in the overall good of people there are some of us we cannot save. Perhaps, that will change someday, but not now. Evil, sadly, is a weed, and you need to kill it and destroy the roots or it will keep coming back. As we have witnessed in recent events.
Question: How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?
Juliet: Right now, my life is good, however, I worry about many things that I find unsettling. True Magic has returned to this world and I don’t know how it will affect us. It may do nothing, but I’m not naive enough to believe that. I’m also concerned with the Council of Light. Since I have taken on my Called things don’t feel right. It is as if something or someone is hiding just out of sight. I can’t explain it any better than that.
If I could change anything it would be to remove this uncertainty around me. People rely on me and I have to be able to act and not be crippled by worry or by the unknown.
M.D. Neu: That sounds unnerving.
Juliet: You have no idea. Or maybe you do.
Question: Moving on. On Monday mornings, are you excited to go to work, or are you sad?
Juliet: I love my work at the foundation, if I could just do that I would be a happy woman. It helps that I’ve surrounded myself with intelligent and caring people who share my vision. I don’t think I would love my work as much as I do if it wasn’t for them.
Question: Given your work in philanthropy if you can cure one disease, which one would you cure?
Juliet: Without a doubt it would be cancer. I’ve seen the effects on people my whole existence and I wish there were something I could do about it, but science and medicine are not areas I’m suited for and unfortunately my Immortal powers to heal don’t work like that.
M.D. Neu: That would be nice.
Juliet: Yes, yes it would.
Question: Given your nature, do you honk at the car in front of you if they didn’t see the light turn green?
Juliet: Of course. Don’t we all. The light is green that means go. This issue has gotten much worse since smartphones and cellphone have been our. What is so important that you have to look at your phone while you are driving? You do realize you are in charge of a several ton vehicle that can kill at any moment. People have this false sense of security when they drive. It is unbelievable. This is something I will never understand. So, yes, I honk. I also glare at people on their cell phones when they drive. Isn’t there enough death in this world? Why add to it.
Question: Have you ever served in the military?
Juliet: Oh my. How do I answer this? Yes, and I shall leave it at that.
Question: Okay, well then what is your greatest fear?
Juliet: That my Called will not be prepared for both the human world and the Immortal world. I’ve lived a long life and seen a lot, but he is new and I want to ensure that he has every opportunity I didn’t have. Marcel, my creator, had many positives, but there was always something about him and he was a hard mentor to have. At times I questioned how he could be of the light, but he was. Anyway, I want my Called to be successful and happy in both worlds his new life will occupy.
The Calling
Length: 366 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance | Vampires
Buy at: amazon | Nine Star Press | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Blurb
Being nobody isn’t Duncan Alexander’s life goal, but it’s worked for him. He has a nondescript job, a few good friends, and overall he’s content. That’s until one fateful trip to San Jose, California, where he is ‘Called’ to meet the mysterious Juliet de Exter. Juliet is a beautiful, wealthy, powerful Immortal who is undertaking ‘The Calling’ – a search for a human to join her world of Immortals. Inexplicably, Duncan’s calling is more dangerous than any of the Immortals, even Juliet, ever thought it would be.
There is more to this nobody, this only child of long deceased parents, than anyone thought. When Duncan experiences uncontrollable dreams of people he doesn’t know and places he hasn’t been, Juliet and the other Immortals worry. Soon, his visions point to a coven of long dead witches. The dreams also lead Duncan to his one true love. How will Duncan navigate a forbidden romance with an outcast Immortal? How will he and the others keep the balance between the Light and Dark, survive vicious attacks, and keep the humans from learning who they truly are? More importantly, who is this implacable foe Duncan keeps seeing in his dreams?
About M.D. Neu
M.D. Neu is a LGBTQA Fiction Writer with a love for writing and travel. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) and growing up around technology, he’s always been fascinated with what could be. Specifically drawn to Science Fiction and Paranormal television and novels, M.D. Neu was inspired by the great Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Alfred Hitchcock, Harvey Fierstein, Anne Rice, and Kim Stanley Robinson. An odd combination, but one that has influenced his writing.
Growing up in an accepting family as a gay man he always wondered why there were never stories reflecting who he was. Constantly surrounded by characters that only reflected heterosexual society, M.D. Neu decided he wanted to change that. So, he took to writing, wanting to tell good stories that reflected our diverse world.
When M.D. Neu isn’t writing, he works for a non-profit and travels with his biggest supporter and his harshest critic, Eric his husband of nineteen plus years.
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