I'd like to welcome Remmy Duchene today.
Remmy has a new, wonderful book out and is here today to tell us about it and a little personal information as well!
SAMURAI:
An Unhealthy Love Affair
By:
Remmy Duchene
When I was a little girl in Jamaica, we
had two television stations—JBC and CVM. So we didn’t have much to watch but
old Westerns and Martial arts movies. From a young age I had this thing for the
Samurai. Let’s be honest, when I was young watching ones like G.I Samurai from
1979 or Samurai Rebellion from about 1967 I didn’t know the real history behind
these formidable fighters. All I knew was that they were bad-ass and when I
grew up I wanted to be one. No one told me I couldn’t because I was a girl
because of course I never voiced this out loud. I would merely run around the
front yard screaming “Hiiiii-yah!” while karate chopping the air or my sister
to emphasize just how Samurai I was.
Even at the young age of eight or nine, I
knew the Samurai were something special. From the way they dressed, to the way
they wore their hair I developed an unhealthy love and a keen interest. I would
read every book I could get my hands on (which wasn’t easy since I lived in the
country side in Jamaica at the time and these books weren’t conducive to my
education so not a top priority for the libraries there).
Then I was introduced to Bruce Lee – sure
he wasn’t a Samurai but he might as well have been. Since I couldn’t be a Samurai
or meet a real-honest-to-goodness Samurai, Bruce Lee would have to do!
The years ticked by—and soon I moved to
Canada. The first book I ever borrowed from the library was The Book of Five
Rings by the greatest Samurai Ever Miyamoto
Musashi. And my adoration of the Samurai continues in my story Osaki that’s
book two in my SHIVERS series. It took tons of research—oh the agony! (winks). The search was mostly to brush up on what I
already know then delve into my knowledge, books and movies to gather tidbit of
information on the culture and these great men. Sure, there were female Samurai
(like the Onna Musha). Sure they weren’t an everyday thing but they
existed. But I digress.
I brought a warrior from the past in to
the present, and gave him free roam to have a life and enjoy.
When I spoke to Austin Clarke at a
function in Toronto in 2014, he told me the old saying “write what you love” is
no joke. I love the Samurai and with that in mind, writing OSAKI gave me great
pleasure (not THAT kind of pleasure you dirty lol).
EXCERPT
Zeus’ eyes flashed as the sky darkened and lightening
streaked across it. Osaki glanced at Kofi for a split second to ensure he was
still by his side then eyed Zeus.
“I am not a fool, Zeus. Tell me true.
Why are you really here?”
“I do not know why Ciro saw it fit to
give you more than you already had. You did not deserve these abilities.”
“That is what you came here to do? To
say the same thing the rogues have been saying since Aerios tried to wipe us
out? Save your...”
“Now wait a minute!” Kofi spoke up,
shoving roughly against Osaki’s arm.
“Kofi...” Osaki warned.
“No!” Kofi said, stepping forward.
“No. He has no right talking to you like that. One of his dumbass sons tossed a
fucking lightning bolt at me, and almost killed you and now he has the nerve to
say you don’t deserve to be a Shiver? To hell with that.”
Osaki couldn’t tell the last time he
was so proud. Here was a man who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he believed
in and this man—if he could find some way to make it happened—was all his.
“I could crush you with a thought,”
Zeus threatened.
“But we both know you’re not going to
because Koi and Ciro would burn your pathetic world to the ground.”
Zeus took a step back. Osaki was shocked
for it seemed Kofi’s words genuinely scared Zeus. What was going on?
“You sit on mount Olympus only
venturing down here when you’re horny and then leave your poor, unsuspecting
victims to handle the messes you’ve created!” Kofi continued. “Forget king of
the Gods, you’re a coward!”
“How dare you! I am Zeus!”
Kofi lifted his hand like he was
holding a sock puppet. “Blah, blah-fucking-blah! Who gives a flying fuck? There
is a battle happening here. And all you can do is come down here and try to
throw your power around? We’re not impressed.” Kofi took a step toward Zeus
which made Osaki very uncomfortable. “You are either on our side or you’re part
of the problem.”
“Is he yours?” Zeus asked Osaki.
“Stick around, Zeus and you will
learn, Kofi belongs to no one,” Osaki spoke. “But I am his.”
Thank you for telling us about yourself and giving us a peek into your latest book. Many happy sales to you!
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