
Although they’re torn apart, they still hold a piece of each other’s heart.
Blurb: After receiving his grade twelve diploma and marking his eighteenth birthday,
René Oshawee cannot fight the temptation seventeen-year-old high school junior Billy
Redsky blatantly offers now that what they share has become taboo.
When their secret romance is blown into the open, Billy’s foster parents send René to
Toronto to complete the last of his schooling under the supervision of a family friend, leaving Billy behind at their Ojibway community.
Now Billy and René must make the biggest decision of their lives—fight for the true love they know they’ll never find with anyone else or go their separate ways.
Maggie: Okay, I spent a lot of time with you and Billy writing your series, and I know you don’t like anyone getting too close. So I’ll take it easy on the questions. Sound good, René?
René: (nods, he’s drinking cream soda and smoking a cigarette)
1. Maggie: Here’s the first question. The third book in the series, KNIGHT MOVES, takes place during the year 1998. We’re post-grunge. What music are you listening to now?
René: The same stuff. Tool. Fear Factory. Rage Against the Machine. I’m also enjoying a few new bands such as Rammstein, Korn, System of a Down, Opeth… I just purchased The Offspring’s latest CD Americana.
2. Maggie: What’s your favourite scene in KNIGHT MOVES?
René: Uh…seriously? (squints) I’m not sure. If I had to pick one, the scene during dinner when I take Billy out to celebrate his birthday. It’s a pretty special moment.
3. Maggie: I must admit I enjoyed writing that scene for the two of you. Moving along, what do you love most about Billy Redsky, and what makes you want to shake him?
René: Wow…you sure get personal, hey? (glances away, then glances back) I dunno. He’s a great guy. (shrugs) What do you want me to say? (takes drag) I love everything about him. Y’know? As for shaking him, well, he’s very persistent. It’s something I love about him, ’cause if it wasn’t for his persistence, we wouldn’t be together, but at times, I do wish he’d give his pushing a rest.
4. Maggie: Understandable. Sometimes assets can become liabilities. If KNIGHT MOVES was a candle, what scent would it be, and why?
René: (squints) Scent? (blinks) Uh…I dunno. Maybe the smell up on the mountain. Billy loves it up there. I’d go with jack pine. It smells good and reminds me of Billy.
5. Maggie: If KNIGHT MOVES had a theme song, what would it be and why?
René: I’d go with Crazy World by Aslan. It’s how I feel about Billy and what I wish I could do for him.
6. Maggie: If KNIGHT MOVES was a colour, what would it be and why?
René: Cinnamon. Billy’s painted a wicked-cool mural on his bedroom wall of his favourite bear. He calls him Pumpkin because he’s the colour of cinnamon.
7. Maggie: What are some of your pet peeves?
René: People who make excuses and don’t own their shit. Like Billy’s asshole older brother.
8. Maggie: Yes, Hoyt is quite the thorn in your side, isn’t he? Anyhoo, next question. What is something unique/quirky about you?
René: I can’t think of anything unique or quirky. I’m simply a guy who loves music. I listen to it while I shower, while I study, while I’m driving, while I’m on the computer. I need it 24/7.
9. Maggie: Tell everyone where you grew up at.
René: I’m from Thunder Mountain First Nation. It’s a rez a stone’s throw from Thunder Bay, Ontario.
10. Maggie: Describe yourself in five words.
René: Really? (blinks) Uh…Creative, mellow, a good friend, musical… (shrugs) I dunno, I’d say loyal.
Maggie: René, that was a great effort. It really was. I know how hard answering questions can be for you. If it was Billy in the chair, I’d have ten pages going on. Thanks very much for taking the time to sit down and let me pick your brain.
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EXCERPT
The waitress wove her way through the crowded restaurant. She held a slice of birthday cake. Under the dim lighting, people dined at the many tables covered in white cloths and the chairs outfitted in red felt coverings.
René curled his fingers together and set his elbows on his place setting. The flickering candle in the yellow holder caught the glow of Billy’s smooth skin. He was seventeen but passing for nineteen because the hostess, at the beginning of their meal, had asked if they’d wanted anything from the bar.
With his hair cropped over his ears and light spikes to his bangs gelled slightly to the side, there was a true maturity to Billy now. The sprinkling of whiskers above his mouth offered a masculine depth to his boyish looks.
“Here you go. Happy birthday,” the waitress announced.
“Thanks.” Billy flashed her his cheeky grin. “Great meal. The best prime rib I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll be sure to tell the chef. Now, are you sure you don’t want anything from the bar for an after-dinner drink? You turned nineteen today.”
“It’s okay,” René replied. “Some coffee would be nice, though.”
“Right away.” The waitress left.
“C’mon, we could’ve had some beers.” By the twinkle in Billy’s dark eyes, he was jesting.
“You’re driving. Neither of us is old enough. With the luck you generate, the bartender would’ve told her to card us, anyway. Coffee’ll suffice.” An itch to reach across and take Billy’s hand crawled along René’s palm. God, this sucked having to hide what they felt for each other.
In the past, he hadn’t minded. Why playing closet this evening irritated him, René wasn’t sure.
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Author Bio: An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.
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