I am so excited to welcome back Karina Cooper, who is celebrating the release of her latest novella, Wicked Lies.
In this Dark Mission novella, Jonas Stone emerges from the shadows into his own story, and finally allows himself to have the same shot at love he’s given his friends.
Jonas Stone has been given his first independent operation: rescue the insurrection leader’s imprisoned grandson from the Mission. Getting the job done means more than getting Danny Granger out–it means staying with him while he heals. Staying too close, for way too long.
Danny is everything Jonas isn’t: confident, optimistic, honest–a man to be reckoned with. If only it didn’t mean going against everything Jonas has planned. He’s kept his secrets for years, hid behind a mask no one could see through…until now. Danny isn’t the kind of man Jonas deserves. But he might be exactly the man he needs…
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Literary Escapism: Can you sum up Wicked Lies in five words? The entire Dark Mission series?
Karina Cooper: Wicked Lies: Let yourself find true love.
Dark Mission: Good versus evil; never clear.
I feel like I should have done haikus!
LE: How much of your real life inspired the Dark Mission series?
KC: I am, in fact, a witch hiding from the persecution of a power-hungry order of—I MEAN… Not a lot, really. Beyond the usual resources (feeling alone in a big world, pressured to make choices that could be right or wrong, that sort of thing), much of what I’ve created in the Dark Mission series is spawned from an evolutionary story following the ultimate antagonist, if you can believe it. The choices the protagonists have made, the odds they face, all come from this single plan. And I really don’t know how to destroy the world. Although I’ve thought about it now and again…
What, like you haven’t!
LE: Is there a piece of artwork that has inspired any part of the Dark Mission series?
KC: Of all my projects, the Dark Mission series was less inspired by art as it was by concepts. I had a very broad brush to use to paint the pictures I wanted—the initial apocalypse, the divide between good and bad, rich and poor, powerful and helpless. I had very strong mental images—for example, the first time Parker opens her office door to find Simon lounging against it is such a stark image in my mind, and I couldn’t tell you where it came from. When Jonas is hunched over his computer, watching them interrogate poor Danny, and he drops his face into his hands? That was a scene that came so vividly to me.
One day, I kind of want to commission someone to draw something for me, but you know, I’d only pick one of the super dirty scenes. Like maybe when Danny has Jonas kneeling on that couch. Or maybe when Caleb has Juliet pinned against the cliff face? Yeah… See. Nobody should trust me with art.
LE: How much of yourself do you put into your characters?
KC: This is one of those difficult questions. Offhand, I don’t deliberately go around writing bits of me into characters, but I feel like that’s inevitable. Some part of us fuels the character we make. I guess I can sympathize with certain aspects more. I totally understand Jessie’s drive to hit the street, lie to keep people at arm’s reach and hide who she is. I can sympathize with Naomi’s fierce drive to be the best, even while struggling to hide her emotional breakdown. I often find myself feeling like I’m the only one who can solve a problem, like Caleb, and Jonas’ fear of failure and drive to protect himself are something I think we all can understand.
I don’t necessarily think any of them are me, but I recognize a few traits here and there.
LE: Have you written a character you just want to punch in the face?
KC: Simon. Also? Naomi. I’ll admit it. Those two are the most punchable of the protagonists, and I’m not even clocking the antagonists in there with them. I wanted to wring SImon’s neck, and I though there was nothing wrong with Naomi that a good ass-kiccking wouldn’t cure. Granted, that could be why I take such pleasure in putting them through hell.
LE: Have you ever been jealous of any of your characters?
KC: All of them! Each one of them is out there having adventures I can only dream of—and write about. It’s like I’m their permanent support cast, making sure they have the means to keep having adventure after adventure. It’s enough to make a girl wish for an apocalypse, you know?
LE: What was your favorite part about creating your own end of the world apocalypse?
KC: I kept thinking that a volcano erupting in the night would be really, really pretty… That’s not weird, right?
LE: What was your least favorite part about rebuilding it afterward?
KC: The knowledge that it wasn’t all that much of a leap. People have a history of doing terrible things to people when their backs are against the wall, and an apocalypse is one spiky wall. I chose witches to take the brunt, but it could have been anything. All it would take was the right person or group of people at the right place, and any number of choices could have played out. None of them would be ideal for equality, peace and prosperity.
LE: If you were living in your world, would you want to be a witch or a witch hunter?
KC: Witch! I’m not a natural killer, and I have authority issues. I’d much rather be a witch fighting for the side of equality.
LE: What advice would you give someone trying to survive in New Seattle?
KC: Keep your head down, your lips shut, and obey the laws. As long as you do that, as long as you don’t associate with witches, as long as you play the game, you’ll be all right. You might even do well for yourself.
But if you have to look up, if you have to talk about what you see and if you can’t obey the laws, then find others like you. Find them, and get ready for the fight of your life…
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Meet Karina Cooper!
After writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romances, steampunk adventures, crossover urban fantasy, and writes across multiple genres with mad glee. Her steampunk series, The St. Croix Chronicles, has been nominated for the Romantic Times Awards and for an RT Seal of Excellence. One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife, and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks.
Contact Info
Website: website
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Want to purchase Karina’s novels?
The St. Croix Chronicles
Dark Mission Series
erupting volcanoes would be cool to watch… from a distance thanks for the interview :)
ALWAYS from a distance. ;)