I’d like to welcome a feisty new friend to my blog today! Meet Julie McGriffin, one of the more colorful characters in my upcoming novel The Tethered World. Aunt Julie–or Jules as she is referred to by her family–was born and raised in Ireland.
Welcome Aunt Jules! Thank you for stopping by to talk with us about your family and their connection to realm of the Tethered World.
Hello there everyone! ‘Tis great to be here. Thanks fer havin’ me.
I understand you have a unique bond with Sadie Larcen and her family. Can you tell us a little more about that?
Oh yes, indeed. Sadie’s mum, Amy, is like me own daughter. Amy’s real mother was me sister Shannon. But she died before Amy had any children. And I never had children of me own . . . so it’s worked out nicely fer all of us. Sadie and her brothers and sisters are me great nieces and nephews. Sorta convoluted to explain, I’m afraid.
Makes sense to me. Tell me about what happen to the Larcen family this summer. I understand you had an important role to play in the midst of uncertain circumstances.
Goodness, yer not one to beat around the bush, are ya, chipmunk? Let’s just say the family had a crisis of epic proportions. Amy and her hear husband plum disappeared! Now I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say that Amy’s job comes with certain risks.
And what job is that?
She’s an expert on Bigfoot of course! Has her own blog and everything. Knows plenty about the likes of Dwarves and Faeries and Leprechauns too. But pokin’ around in such mysterious places is bound to bring ya face-to-face with some undesirable characters.
And that’s just what happened. Course, it left me needin’ to step in and explain a bit of the family history with me sweet nieces and nephews.
Why is that? I don’t see the connection.
Oh, now, I can’t go into much detail here. It’s all in the book. But let’s just say Amy studied legendary creatures because of our family’s connection to them. We’ve a very long history with folklore.
I guess I don’t understand how it can be dangerous to study something that doesn’t exist.
And how do ya know that, pumpkin? Doesn’t it seem a mite bit strange to ya that all over the world there are stories of similar bein’s like Dwarves and Yetis? Remember that this folklore is ancient. Long before the likes of the world wide spiderweb and all the internet mumbo-jumbo, people recorded similar things in different, unconnected cultures. That ought to make ya second guess what ya know!
Yes, you’ve got a point. I suppose I’ll have to look into it with an open mind.
That’s the spirit. Now, if there’s not anything else…?
Well, yes, there are many things! We’re just getting started.
The book, lovey. The book! If people want to know more then they need to get 
The Tethered World for themselves. You’re havin’ a Facebook party or some crazy, technological psuedo-get together, right?
Uh, yes. Yes, I am. Very well, I guess people can wait a little longer. But how about one more question before you leave?
Certainly.
How did you come to live in America? I don’t think that is something readers will learn from the book.
You’re right, it’s not. Well, when I was a young lass I met a fine American soldier who was stationed in Dublin, Ireland, where I lived. His fiery red hair gave away that his American roots reached back to the motherland. Once we were wed, he shipped out to Vietnam. After a year or so apart, I received a knock on me door and learned the sad news of me husband’s disappearance. Missing in Action, they said. Presumed . . . dead.
I’m so sorry. It wasn’t my intention to bring up a difficult subject.
No, no. It’s fine, my pet. After thirty-eight years it’s just a faint ache in me heart. But to answer yer question . . . I came to the states, to Seattle, fer his funeral and to meet his family. They invited me to stay fer awhile and I did. Permanently! Here I am a citizen of two beloved countries!
Wow! Quite a story! Thank you so much for sharing a little about your connection to the Larcen family and The Tethered World. Glad you could come by.
Thanks fer havin’ me. Still don’t understand how this whole blog thing works but glad I could help. Have a delightful day, cupcake. Bye now!
**Friend me on Facebook if you would like to come to the party, Feb. 1st, 7-9pm CST. Prizes and fun, including a Kindle giveaway.
Do you have any questions or ideas for the party? Leave them in the comments. I need help!