Jynnipher Olbert Interviews Her Main Character Madi Baranova

I didn't want to do a normal get-to-know the author blog; I have done three of those in the last few weeks. I thought it would be nice to interview Madi Baranova, the female lead in Vision of the Moons. Here is what I found out about her during the interview.

Interesting shirt, can you tell me about it?

I am a huge fan of the saga, although they got the vamps wrong. Do I really look like I sparkle in the sun? I haven't been in the sunlight in over ten years, not since I hit puberty.

With all of the hustle and bustle around this time of year, do you and your family celebrate the holiday season? If so, what are some traditions you have?

I think my favorite holiday tradition is opening presents on Christmas morning with Gabi and Bella, my nine-year-old twin sisters. They are so much fun. Gabi always gets Bella to help her run through the house and wake everyone up, even Vladimir and his family, who run our household during the day. Then in January, we celebrate Christmas with Vlad and his family in the way of the Russian Orthodox Church.

What do you do to keep yourself busy?

After I graduated from Harvard, I became a teacher at a private school outside of Boston. The school is for supernatural children and owned by one of the founding vampire families. I also tend bar on the weekends to keep busy and for fun. When school is out on break, I pick up a few more nights.

Where do you live? How long have you lived there?

I live outside of Boston with my parents, my twin brother Niko, and Gabi and Bella. Our family has been in the area for centuries. Before you ask, yes it is customary for supernatural young adults to remain at home until after they go through their transformation, which is when we get our fangs and our special powers emerge.

Tell me about your parents. How well do you get along with them?

My family has its moments, but for the most part, we get along with each other. My mother is the Empress of the Vampire society, which keeps her busy. My father is a member of the Protectors who are responsible for keeping the secret of our race and order among our people.

 What was your birth order? How many siblings did you have? Who else was in your family while you were growing up?

I am the older twin, by seven minutes; a fact Niko constantly reminds me. In the younger set of twins, Gabi is the oldest, leaving Bella as the youngest of us all. Vladimir, his wife and two kids also feel as if they are part of the family as they have been with my parents since before Niko and I were born.

How did you fare as a teenager?

My teen years were difficult with the weight gain, which happened near puberty as well. It seemed as if the minute my boobs grew, so did my jean size. I've tried every human diet under the sun without any luck. I will say this, I am hopeful with my upcoming transformation. Two older girls were talking at my sixteenth party about how one of them lost fifty pounds overnight. Mom later explained that the supernatural body adjusts to its ideal condition during the transformation and that we keep this physique for the rest of our lives.

 What makes you happy now?

I enjoy listening to music, although my tastes vary with my mood. I love to read and hang out with my best friend Laurie. I also enjoy my work with the kids; to see their mind develop is so much fun. The part-time job at the club is fun because I get to watch the humans party with the supernaturals and they don’t even know it.

What is your greatest fear?

I think my greatest fear is losing or growing apart from Niko and not finding anyone to love me. I want the happy ever after with the kids, house and dog. Oh, and spiders, they scare the hell out of me.

What would you change about yourself if you could?

I think I would shed about seventy pounds. I would love to walk into a normal human clothing store and not worry about finding my size.

 One last question, what do you want out of life?

I want to find someone who will love me for me, even though I don't look like the normal vampire woman, curvy with a small waist. I got the curves, just not the small waist. I must have missed the day that gene was given out.