SKULLHAVEN - AN INTERVIEW

Today I’m excited to have a special guest on my little blog. Her name is Lilly White, and she is the main character in Cornell DeVille’s newest MG novel, Skullhaven. Lilly’s schedule has been quite busy lately, so I’m delighted she has finally found some free time to talk with us today.

Hi, Lilly! How are you? Could you please tell my readers a little bit about your interesting life?

Well, I don't know if my life is that interesting or not. I live at the Sacred Heart Orphanage with Sister Rosemary and Sister Carmen. I spend a lot of time reading but that's mostly in the winter because in the spring and the summer and the fall, I have to help Sister Carmen in the garden. We have flowers and vegetables growing out there. We sell some of the vegetables to the people who drive by the Orphanage. And we take some of the flowers over to the Skullhaven Cemetery and put them on the graves sometimes. 

I love fresh vegetables! Perhaps I can come by someday soon and pick up a few. Fresh salsa is so good this time of year. And I think it’s lovely that you decorate the graves. It shows that you are a caring person. But back to you, Lilly. You’ve certainly had a bit of an unusual upbringing so far, being raised in an orphanage. Tell us, is it frightening to be living in such close proximity to a cemetery?

It was kind of scary when I first found out there was a cemetery right across the highway from the orphanage. And it really bothers me on stormy nights with all the thunder and everything. And, don't think I'm weird or anything, but I have seen some ghosts over there. 

Ghosts? Seriously? Could you tell us about them? Were they hideous, or did they just sort of float around and moan?

No, they weren't hideous at all. Well, except for that big hole in Rico's forehead. That was kind of scary when I saw it the first time, but aside from that, they looked pretty normal. Except they were kind of filmy. I mean, you could sort of see through them. And they didn't moan or anything like that. Actually they weren't nearly as scary as some of the real people I've met lately.

You must be a very brave girl, Lilly, to hang out with a bunch of ghosts – especially ones with holes in their foreheads. But enough of the ghost talk or I’ll have nightmares tonight. Could you tell us a little bit about that gorgeous necklace you’re wearing? Is it a family heirloom?

It's called an ankh. Sister Carmen gave it to me. It's not an heirloom, but it is very old. Father Vargas's journal said that it came from ancient Egypt and it was made for Queen Nefertiti. It's actually enchanted, you know.

Enchanted? How interesting. Can you tell us more about it, or would you rather we read your story for all the details?

Well, I probably shouldn't tell you ALL the details, because you really need to read the book to understand it. I think we should just say that it's enchanted. If you read the book, you'll understand what I mean.

Thank you, Lilly. I intend to do just that. In fact, I hope everyone here will take the time to read it soon. I just found out that the ebook version is being offered FREE on Amazon for the next two days. That’s May 2^nd and May 3^rd, for those interested.

I have enjoyed our visit today, Lilly, and I wish you the best in life. Please give my regards to your guardians, also. Sister Carmen and Sister Rosemary are doing a wonderful job raising you. You are a charming young lady and a true reflection of their devotion.

Thanks so much for having me, and for the nice things you said about the Sisters. They are kind of special to me.

Here is the LINK for readers wanting a free copy of Skullhaven.

And here is a blurb to help you decide!

Lost Spirits are haunting Skullhaven. And Lilly can see them!

Skullhaven Cemetery is across the highway from Sacred Heart Orphanage, where Lilly has lived for the past seven years since her mother mysteriously disappeared. Lost spirits haunt Skullhaven, and when Lilly starts seeing them, she realizes that the gold cross she wears is enchanted. Danger lurks just around the corner when a ruthless Egyptian antiquities dealer recognizes Lilly’s cross as the priceless Golden Ankh of Queen Nefertiti, and he decides he must have it for his collection. After kidnapping Lilly and giving her his ultimatum—either part with the Golden Ankh or spend eternity in Skullhaven Cemetery—Lilly must summon her inner strength. If she gives up the ankh, the lost spirits of Skullhaven will never find their way home. 

A great choice for any age! Written with the upper middle-grade reader in mind, Skullhaven is a fun adventure with a hint of history, a bit of mystery, and a lot of complexity that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages and wondering—what’s going to happen next! 

And, in the event you'd like to learn a little more about the author, here is some basic information for your enjoyment.

Cornell DeVille considers himself an Imagination Director. A member of the Baby Boomer generation, DeVille was influenced by the state-of-the-art technology of the fifties -- television -- and the great storytellers of the day, including Hollywood icons like Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling. Rather than spending his summer days outside playing baseball, DeVille preferred the world he could find within the covers of a good book.  At an early age, he fell in love with the works of Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, and H. G. Wells.

Those nostalgic memories remained with him throughout the years and continue to influence his writing today. A lover of adventure, mystery, and fantasy, DeVille’s writing leads readers on a journey that allows them to escape the real world and venture into a special realm where anything can happen. His current adventures include Lost in the Bayou, The Golden Disk, Star Wishes, The Treasure of Morro Bay, Scary Night Music, and Skullhaven.

DeVille grew up in the Kansas City area, where he lives today with his wife Rosie, their bichon-poodle, Hannah, and a Himalayan Persian cat named Billy. You can find him on Twitter at cornelldeville1, and on Facebook as Author Cornell DeVille.

That's all I have for today.

HAPPY READING!

Cordelia Dinsmore