Character Interview: Ira from Everlasting by Angie Frazier

Today, I have with me Ira, a character from the novel Everlasting by Angie Frazier. Ira was one of the characters that helped Camille and Oscar on their journey. He was such an interesting character that I was happy to have him answer a few questions for me.

Here's a little bit about the novel via Goodreads before we start the interview:

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

Character Interview with Ira

What were you doing before you met Camille and Oscar? I’ve got more than one profession under my belt, so to speak. Right before I ended up with the lovebirds I’d been coming off a stint in the gold mines round Bendigo. Loved the gold. Hated the work.

Why did you agree to help them when you met them? Well, I’d like to say I’m just a sucker for damsels in distress. But if we’re going the honesty route, I’ll come clean: I’m really just a sucker for mysterious treasure. That and I owed on a trade and needed an excuse to leave Melbourne quick.

How was your childhood growing up? It was all roses, love. All roses. Nah, that part of my life’s better left buried, if you know what I’m saying.

Is there a special lady out there for you? How did you meet? There is a special lady out there for me…many special ladies, I’d wager. I’ve met a few of them already, but the problem seems to be the pickings. Most of the ladies a fellow wants to keep around and bring home to mama don’t frequent the sorts of places I do. If only Camille had a sister…

What one event changed your life forever? Well obviously meeting Camille and Oscar changed a lot for me. It’s rare when I meet people who are in bigger jams than I am. For once I got to actually help someone. Oddly, it wasn’t as painful as I figured it would be.

Thanks Ira for the interview!

Check out my review of Everlasting - it was one of my favorites this past year.

Check out the rest of the Teen Book Scene tours for Everlasting.