[Daph's BBE] Day 6: The Girl in the Steel Corset character interview!

Welcome to Day 6 of my Birthday Bash Extravaganza! It was my birthday on 17th August and I'm celebrating with an entire week packed with guest posts and giveaways. Click the "Daph's Birthday Bash Extravaganza"-tag to see all posts of this week!

I'm so thrilled about today's post! The lovely Kady Cross, author of The Girl in the Steel Corset, is over at the blog today with a character interview that she arranged between Mister Jack Dandy and Finley! TGitSC is my favorite steampunk and I'm really looking forward for its sequel, The Girl with the Clockwork Collar, to come out!

A little bit about  The Girl in the Steel Corset;

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

Since I'm on deadline for a new book, I thought I'd get some help with the character interview. So, I've asked Jack Dandy for a little assistance. Since I'm to blame...er, thank for all the attention he's been getting, I figure he owes me. He seemed suspiciously eager to help out. Here is the transcript of that interview. For the reader's sake, I've made Mr. Dandy's dialogue a tad easier to understand by spelling out the words they way they should sound, rather than the charmingly annoying way he says them.

Jack Dandy: Enlighten me, Treasure -- do you prefer your gentlemen with dark eyes or light?
Finley Jayne: Would this question have anything to do with the fact that your eyes are dark and Griffin's are gray?
JD: None whatsoever. Answer the question. Unless you want me to assume...?
FJ: I prefer gentlemen whose eyes are focused on a spot higher than my chest. (clears her throat)
JD: What? I was admiring your necklace.
FJ: Right. I think I prefer light eyes.
JD: You wound me. Fine. Which would you rather have, a life of excitement and danger with a dashing rake, or a dull, boring future under the thumb of a budding autocrat?
FJ: That depends. Does the autocrat love me?
JD: I suppose he does, in his aristocratic, cold-fish sort of way.
FJ: What of the rake? Does he love me?
JD: Rakes don't believe in that stuff, Treasure. He would, however, worship you til the end of your days.
FJ: Call me romantic, but I'd rather be adored for the rest of his. I suppose I'll have to take the autocrat.
JD: Are you mental?
FJ: There are two parts to me, Jack. I'm probably mad as a hatter. I'd rather be loved and have the comfort of a little money, than adored by a man who will no doubt leave me as soon as the next challenge comes 'round.
JD: I can't imagine anyone getting bored with you.
FJ: (smiles) And I cannot imagine you sticking around long enough to find out.
JD: You're a heartless wench, Treasure. I like it.
FJ: Are you going to ask me any serious questions?
JD: I have been serious.
FJ: Jack.
JD: Bollocks. Fine. (sound of paper being uncrumpled) When did you first notice that you were different from other girls? And what's so wrong with being different, I ask you? Why should you want to be like everyone else? You should revel in what you are.
FJ: I first noticed it when I was about twelve, but it's gotten increasingly worse since then. Only lately have I begun to feel stable. And there is nothing wrong with being different, Jack. I like being different. What I wanted was to be able to trust myself and feel in control of my own life.Surely you understand that. I don't want to end up like my father.
JD: I understand perfectly, love. I'd hate to be like my old man.
FJ: Who is your father?
JD: I'm the one asking the questions. If you could be any animal, what would it be?
FJ: A house cat. A big fat one that gets lots of love during the day and hunts mice at night.
JD: I'm finding you strangely attractive right now, what with all this talk of mice-stalking.
FJ: Don't be sarcastic. You asked.
JD: What do you like the most about yourself?
FJ: My strength.
JD: And the least?
FJ: (pauses) My toes.
JD: Your toes? Brilliant. That's a soul-baring answer if ever I've heard one.
FJ: I'm not telling one of the most infamous criminals in London what I consider to be my greatest weakness. JD: Think I'd use it against you?
FJ: No, but you'd use it to your own advantage.
JD: True enough. Alright, they want to know what's next for you and your friends?
FJ: We're going to New York City to find Jasper, and hopefully bring him back to London where he belongs. With us.
JD: Sounds dangerous. May I come?
FJ: No. You have to stay here and keep the city on its toes.What would the people of London do without you?
JD: True, they do quite depend upon me to keep the gears and cogs moving as they ought. You will be careful in New York, won't you?
FJ: (grins) Have you ever known me to be anything else?
JD: Oh, look at the time! I've got to go. Cheerio, Treasure.

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Thank you so much Kate for stopping by and sharing the interview you arranged with Jack and Finley! He's a real charmer, that mister Dandy.. I wonder why he was so eager to do the interview. Maybe he just wanted the pleasure of Finley's company? Or maybe he wanted to do it so she wouldn't be spending time with Griffin.. We'll never know, I think! I do know that I cannot wait for The Girl in the Clockwork Collar to come out!

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And of course, this post wouldn't be complete without a giveaway. I'm giving away one (1) hardcover copy of The Girl in the Steel Corset to one lucky winner. Make sure that Bookdepository ships to your country, as the prize will be shipped out by myself using BD. All you have to do is read the rules listed on top of the form, and fill in the form *HERE*. That's it! 

This giveaway is now closed. Winner TBA

You don't need to be a follower to be able to enter, but it is of course much appreciated if you'd follow the blog :) 

Thanks for stopping by in my EPIC Birthday Week! Be sure to come back tomorrow to see what's up on the seventh and final day of my Birthday Bash Extravaganza :) 

Today's question: If you could invite three fictional characters to your birthday party, who would they be and why?