“Vacation’s All I Ever Wanted . . .”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo8S3iFdzUc
Okay, I’m not really going on vacation. I’ll actually be working my butt off, writing six to eight hours a day while hubby attends an NEA convention in New Orleans and the rest of the family watches over the house back home. But when the writing and the meetings are over–look out NOLA!
This means I won’t be posting a formal blog until we return on July 12. But I gotta get my Jazfan fix! So I was thinking, what the hell can we talk about for, like, two freaking weeks?
Characters, baby!
The majority of you guys mentioned that, if I were to do a new series related to Jaz Parks, you’d love to see some sort of spinoff featuring the minor characters she’s met or worked with along the way. So why don’t we talk about them during the next several days and maybe get to know them better? Ask any questions you like and I’ll try to answer them. And hey, I’ll be asking you some stuff too, because I love to know what you’re thinking as well.
Can we start with Raoul? Because he’s the biggest mystery to me and, therefore, the most interesting minor character at the moment. Do you think he needs to meet someone special, or is it cool that he’s got his “mission” and is fully directed toward it? Also, is it clear to you what war he died in?
This entry was posted on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at 10:37 am and is filed under Jaz Parks . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
What’s the deal with raouls fasination on trains? And doesn’t he have the hots for that one spirit chick whom he has a crush on? Lol maybe you can write abt how raoul is such a ladies man (or not?) lol
June 28th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Wow, so wanted to get up and have a dance to that!
Ok, so Raoul, i think it would be good to see how he’d cope with ‘someone special’ in his life. I get that he’s got his mission, but i’m thinking more work to live, not live to work!
I’ll be honest and say that I sometimes miss the small details about him, simply because i always seem to fly through books, and am always focused on the end
so it would be good to get a full focus on him!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
First, YAY New Orleans! The French Quarter has to be one of the coolest, and one of my favorite, places to go, so I hope you’re staying there!
As for Raoul, I’m wondering if he died with some of his family still alive. Or maybe if he had even started his own and died before getting to see them again. Would the Eldhayr rules force him to watch from a distance, or would he be able to talk with them? I kinda doubt that…
I kind of have a feeling that something tragic like that happened to him, since he seems kind of uptight at times, like he can’t get past that sadness. And that his fondness of Jaz is caused by her being similar to someone he knew.
June 28th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Yeehaa! New Orleans is AWESOME!
And yeah, about Raoul…I’d like to know more about that girl he met in the last book, and maybe why he is so obsessed with toy trains?
I think it’s cool that his background is kind of vague, because then I can imagine all kinds of things. But I’d like to know more about the Eldhayr, who are the the others, who are the leaders, their rules and so on.
I could keep going and going, but I’ll just stop there!
June 28th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Also, just thinking, what IS his mission? Maybe I missed it. I tend to speed read a bit too much (:
June 29th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
He’s a Spirit Guide, Deenie, so his main job is to facilitate the work of people like Jaz, as well as recruit more people like her to the “cause.”
June 29th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Vacation? Hhhmmm… yes, I think I knew something called like that once, though I don’t remember clearly…
Have a good holiday, Jen!! And take a lot of pics!
Wasn’t Raoul trying to hook up with another Eldahyr? Nia, was it? Though I must say I picture him like the kind of guy who always puts work first.
I’m no expert, but could it be that he died in the American Civil War? And maybe Colonel John in the War of Independence?
June 29th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Yeah, I keep the Eldhayr a mystery on purpose, Deenie. I think the less known about them, the better.
June 29th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
We’re staying right next to the French Quarter, Andrea (within walking distance) so I imagine we’ll be spending lots of time there!
Raoul was single when he died. His parents were still alive.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Sophie, I’m thinking that Raoul, having observed this amazing relationship between Jaz and Vayl, has finally begun to realize what he’s been missing all these decades.
June 29th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Raoul was only able to connect with his dad (who was a typical 30′s kind of distant, shake your hand when you go off to college kind of parent) through their mutual love of model trains. It also shows you that he’s still managed to hold onto a shred of his humanity, which is how Jaz wiggles into his heart.
June 29th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Lol, it seems like when we played the mistery game, with you giving us clues.
So if his father was a man of the 30′s, Raoul died in WW2? Or am I totally off again?
June 29th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I think Raoul should have a relationship with someone that makes him a little crazy. She should always have a smile on her face and be the joking type. She would be his polar opposite and maybe that would give him a little balance in life.
June 29th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I always thought to myself that maybe he was from New Zealand (: He might have been one of those 2nd World War ANZACs?
June 30th, 2010 at 5:51 am
Finally revealing something from Raoul´s past?
Maybe I missed something, but what´s his problem with vampires?
Enjoy your holiday!
June 30th, 2010 at 6:23 am
that’s great Jen, i can totally imagine Jaz and Vayls relationship inspiring him! If Jaz of all people can manage to be happy, why not him!
July 1st, 2010 at 11:36 am
Actually, Vale, I had Raoul dying in action in the Korean war.
Raoul is an adult immigrant to America from Spain, Deenie.
New Orleans is amaazing, by the way. We heard some of the most fabulous music last night, all within a couple of blocks of each other–rock, blues, jazz. In bars and on the street…I’m a happy camper!
July 2nd, 2010 at 4:30 am
I’m glad that you love your vacations!
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I see raoul with someone like jaz, trouble with a capital t, messed up, headstrong, but with a good heart. Maybe someone he’s not supposed to love (like jaz and vayl) jaz will stick up for him
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Ohhh, I’m gonna be the lone dissenter. I don’t see Raoul with anyone. He’s the Obi-Wan Kenobi – above all the ‘physical’ – a creature of intellect and will – with brief glimpses of his heart when he interacts with Jaz.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
And…I had been thinking Vietnam. Clearly not bright enough to pick up on the clues!
July 3rd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Interesting take, Mandy.
I like your view, Erin. I believe he’s shared it for a very long time.
Okay, you guys, so I keep thinking I need to bring the werewolf, Trayton, back into one of these books. Remember him from “Bitten to Death?” I just thought he was the coolest character…somebody I’d like to get to know a lot better. So here’s my first question to you. Do he and Phoebe end up together?
July 4th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I can honestly say I can’t see our werewolf pal with his rude mate Phoebe. I just can’t. However I can see trayton flirting a bit with jaz. They had a chemistry goin in the past and to see that again might be fun. Besides it would be a lot more fun cuz it might get under vayls skin lol
July 4th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Definitely not clear to me what war he died in, but maybe I just wasn’t paying enough attention to him as a character. I’d love to learn more though because he seems to be a PBA. I have mixed feelings about whether or not he needs romance. If he spends most of his time in non-corporeal form, does he have those kind of needs?
July 5th, 2010 at 7:13 am
I don’t think that Trayton had to end up with Phoebe. She’s not sweet enough. But it’s just my opinion
July 5th, 2010 at 7:36 am
I kept having that feeling myself, Kalimera, as (I think) did Trayton. Really would love to follow up on him to see what he decides. Hmm, now when will I have that kind of time? Maybe a short story would do it for us? What do you think?
Maybe not physically so, Rachelle, but I think Raoul missed out on the fulfillment of true love in life. And, in my humble opinion, that emotion is transcendent. I’m hoping he finds it eventually.
LOL, Ileana! You just wanna see Vayl kick some werewolf ass, admit it!
July 5th, 2010 at 7:56 am
I think it would be perfect, but you already have so many things to do… Don’t wear yourself out, okay? (Gosh, I sound like my mother!)
About Vayl kicking some werewolf asses… Do you see my evil smile? xD
July 5th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I’d LOVE to see a short story about Trayton! And I agree, with someone who is seemingly his opposite.
And, yeah, Raoul needs somebody to love, lol!
(Can I just say how much I LOVE Jack? We used to have a Malamute, and they are the best dogs!!!! You really bring out their personality in Jack!)
July 5th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Can i put in a vote for Vale kicking some werewolf ass too please
Ok Vayl kicking anyones ass gets my vote!
Hope you’re enjoying New Orleans Jen, the atmosphere must be brilliant!
July 6th, 2010 at 6:04 am
It is unique and amazing, Sophie. And your vote is duly noted!
Thanks, Alyssa, that’s great to hear!
Indeed I do, Kalimera!
July 6th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Ohhh! Me too, me too! I’d like too to see Vayl kicking some butts!!
Have you seen the cemetery yet, Jen?
July 6th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Are we talking getting to know a character better before or after the time of Jaz’s series, because, honestly, I’d love to learn more about Val. I feel like there’s so much more to him than we get to see.
July 6th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I agree with Rachelle!
By the way, Jen, have you ever been to Paris, or in France?
July 7th, 2010 at 9:43 am
I’d love to hear more about Trayton. The werewolves were my favorite part of Bitten to Death. Especially because Trayton and Jaz had the same sense of humor. I wish she had brought him back with her like she did Jack.
July 7th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I don’t think trayton ends up with phoebe, she’s too hard for him. He might want to join jaz’s gang, just to be near her and to fight with her. They have seen inside each other and now he misses her and their connection
July 7th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Going a ittle off topic here, but in case anyones interested, Bitten by books review site are doing a vote for female characters who you would be friends with, and wonderful ass kicking Jaz is on the list, in case anyone wants to vote!
July 7th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I think he’ll end up with phoebe, I always thought that she was secretly nice, but just hid it well
July 8th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I’m gonna be odd and vote that Trayton does mate with Phoebe. We hardly had any time with her, so thinking she’s mean and such isn’t really justified. She was just being bitchy to Jaz cause Jaz was, in her mind, moving in on her man. And come on, what woman wouldn’t get her butt kicking mode on if she thought she had competition. Trayton seems like a good kid, so Phoebe would fight for someone like him. That, and Trayton seemed genuinely fond of her, so he probably has good judgment on werewolf chicks.
And damn it all, I’m also going to be bad and admit the Vayl werewolf butt-kicking competition sounds like oodles of fun… Though it seems far more likely at this rate that its going to be a showdown between Vayl and Cole. Cole just LOVES, so it seems, to push every single button of Vayl’s he can find. Which makes me giggle…
July 12th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
vayl kicking ANYONE’s ass. i would pay to see that. i admit it. and, yeay jen! dont you get back today? can’t wait!
July 12th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Ok off topic, but I would like to know more about Jaz’s grandma. Is she just in Jaz’s imagination or is there something more supernatural to their communication?