A TEDDY OWENS STORY
by L.A. Cadieux from Evernight Teen
YA (romance, paranormal, shifters, suspense, contemporary)
After her family's sordid history of betrayal is unearthed, Teddy’s world is rocked when she must travel to New York City and take an oath promising her power to an arrogant heir of the underworld, Leevi Koivu. Can she trust him?
And in the end someone she loves, but cannot save, will die.
Evernight Teen
Amazon
ARe
BookStrand
Author Interview
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
ONE LIFE is about strong and sassy, sixteen year-old Teddy Owens, who has barely considered her own mortality, unaware within her lays dormant the ability to save one person from death...a particularly difficult decision to make when so many people she loves are in desperate peril.
Intent on leaving her troubled childhood in the past, snow-obsessed Teddy has moved from Texas to her uncle's secluded Rocky Mountain estate—a beautiful place, but colder than she imagined. Curious about her surroundings she ignores the persistent advice of new friends and digs to uncover the allure of the mysterious estate—only to discover her friends have terrifying secrets of their own. With each new revelation, Teddy is thrust further into a clandestine underworld where she is hunted for her supernatural power.
After her family's sordid history of betrayal is unearthed, her world is rocked when she must travel to New York City and take an oath promising her power to an arrogant heir of the underworld, Leevi Koivu. Can she trust him?
In the end someone she loves, but cannot save, will die.
What inspired you to write it?
My early work was inspired by anything written by Jane Austen, and also fantasy like the Lord of the Rings & The Princess Bride –but popular children’s stories The Secret Garden & Bridge to Terabitha ended up having the greatest impact. My first manuscript was an Epic Fantasy, but it hasn’t been published yet. My second novel, ONE LIFE, a paranormal adventure/romance story about sixteen year-old Teddy Owens ended up landing me a literary agent and publishing contract.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
My publishing house came up with the initial design. They were very patient because we ended up going back and forth a few times while making minor changes before settling on the current cover.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Elle Fanning would make a great Teddy.
Zac Efron – with curly hair – he would be fantastic as Kane Piers.
Travis Fimmel back in his Calvin Klein underwear model years makes an attractive Leevi Koivu!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
Writers of paranormal/romance or epic fantasy/romance each bring a unique flare and stubborn vision to their hard-fought works. In this genre there are endless opportunities to create new breeds of outlandish characters, or even provide seemingly common characters with powerful special abilities—therefore turning common into spectacular. You just never know how a story's plot may bend...because fantasy writers have unlimited creative control over the direction of their stories. I love this genre because there is no confining limit. If my work is different, it's because I'm enabled to implement new rules for operating on earth, or I can go ahead and forget earthly rules to create a whole new world.
In the past I did try to create stories without paranormal elements, but with each effort a surreal/mystical aspect of the story eventually emerged. I feel endlessly drawn to follow these pulls of creativity.
What made you want to become an author?
My mother once told me, try to pick a career that will enable you to keep care of yourself. Naturally, I decided to be practical and earn a degree in Management, specializing in Business Economics. However it wasn’t more than a couple years after graduating – much as I love my job – a little corner of my soul called out for me to create…something, anything. It’s hard to believe now, but at this point I’d only written a couple short stores and a few essays. I couldn’t remember having written anything longer than 30 pages.
For reasons I have yet to understand, I decided to become a novelist after watching the 2007 film version of Bridge to Terabithia. After watching it, I realized there were stories brewing inside of me waiting to be released into the world.
How do you come up with character names?
Teddy Owens is lovingly named after the male Theodore “Laurie” Laurence character in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
I liked the name Levi. Leevi is a Finnish form of the name.
I always liked the name Kane – which I remembered as Erika Kane’s last name from the soap opera All My Children. I remember my grandmother watching this soap regularly.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
My favourite book is Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Katherine Paterson, J. K. Rowing, Cassandra Clare, etc.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Starbucks! My local Starbucks definitely knows me by face – not sure if they know my name.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Pride & Prejudice. I love the old and new versions.
Name two of your favourite authors.
Jane Austen, Emily Bronte.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a ketchup chip addiction…and not the little bags.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Amy Smart.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
Calgary is one the cleanest city in the world.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I would like to write a 3rd book in the Teddy Owens series. I’m starting to work on another round of edits on the 2nd in the series. I’m also polishing up my Epic Fantasy.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
To visit Europe.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Cinderella
Who did you want to be when you were a kid?
I don’t remember wanting to be anyone in particular – just the best version of myself. I know that isn’t much of an answer – maybe a famous actress.
About the Author:
"Our perception of the world is shaped by our experiences and imagery. As a genre fantasy writer it's my job to create new possibilities."
My name is L. A. Cadieux, I’m a YA/New Adult writer and social media-aholic born in Lac La Biche, Alberta, living in Calgary, Canada. Since childhood I've been mesmerized by stories of fairy tales, knights, Greek and Roman mythology and comic book heroes. Naturally, I wanted to create my own worlds/characters and set off on a long quest to write fantasy novels. Creative, yet business minded, I went on to earn a Degree in Management from the University of Alberta Augustana, specializing in Business Economics.
I'm a Project Manager by day and by night I work on my stories. After shelving some of my earlier manuscripts I decided to focus on ONE LIFE, the first in a series of Teddy Owens Stories.
As a proud mom of two – I spend my days and nights multi-tasking.
Random facts: Tim Hortons coffee and ketchup chips are my vices. I’m also a fan of the HBO and CW Networks. My favourite book is Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE.
Website
Blog
Twitter: LACadieux_
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads
Google+
ONE LIFE is about strong and sassy, sixteen year-old Teddy Owens, who has barely considered her own mortality, unaware within her lays dormant the ability to save one person from death...a particularly difficult decision to make when so many people she loves are in desperate peril.
Intent on leaving her troubled childhood in the past, snow-obsessed Teddy has moved from Texas to her uncle's secluded Rocky Mountain estate—a beautiful place, but colder than she imagined. Curious about her surroundings she ignores the persistent advice of new friends and digs to uncover the allure of the mysterious estate—only to discover her friends have terrifying secrets of their own. With each new revelation, Teddy is thrust further into a clandestine underworld where she is hunted for her supernatural power.
After her family's sordid history of betrayal is unearthed, her world is rocked when she must travel to New York City and take an oath promising her power to an arrogant heir of the underworld, Leevi Koivu. Can she trust him?
In the end someone she loves, but cannot save, will die.
What inspired you to write it?
My early work was inspired by anything written by Jane Austen, and also fantasy like the Lord of the Rings & The Princess Bride –but popular children’s stories The Secret Garden & Bridge to Terabitha ended up having the greatest impact. My first manuscript was an Epic Fantasy, but it hasn’t been published yet. My second novel, ONE LIFE, a paranormal adventure/romance story about sixteen year-old Teddy Owens ended up landing me a literary agent and publishing contract.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
My publishing house came up with the initial design. They were very patient because we ended up going back and forth a few times while making minor changes before settling on the current cover.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Elle Fanning would make a great Teddy.
Zac Efron – with curly hair – he would be fantastic as Kane Piers.
Travis Fimmel back in his Calvin Klein underwear model years makes an attractive Leevi Koivu!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
Writers of paranormal/romance or epic fantasy/romance each bring a unique flare and stubborn vision to their hard-fought works. In this genre there are endless opportunities to create new breeds of outlandish characters, or even provide seemingly common characters with powerful special abilities—therefore turning common into spectacular. You just never know how a story's plot may bend...because fantasy writers have unlimited creative control over the direction of their stories. I love this genre because there is no confining limit. If my work is different, it's because I'm enabled to implement new rules for operating on earth, or I can go ahead and forget earthly rules to create a whole new world.
In the past I did try to create stories without paranormal elements, but with each effort a surreal/mystical aspect of the story eventually emerged. I feel endlessly drawn to follow these pulls of creativity.
What made you want to become an author?
My mother once told me, try to pick a career that will enable you to keep care of yourself. Naturally, I decided to be practical and earn a degree in Management, specializing in Business Economics. However it wasn’t more than a couple years after graduating – much as I love my job – a little corner of my soul called out for me to create…something, anything. It’s hard to believe now, but at this point I’d only written a couple short stores and a few essays. I couldn’t remember having written anything longer than 30 pages.
For reasons I have yet to understand, I decided to become a novelist after watching the 2007 film version of Bridge to Terabithia. After watching it, I realized there were stories brewing inside of me waiting to be released into the world.
How do you come up with character names?
Teddy Owens is lovingly named after the male Theodore “Laurie” Laurence character in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
I liked the name Levi. Leevi is a Finnish form of the name.
I always liked the name Kane – which I remembered as Erika Kane’s last name from the soap opera All My Children. I remember my grandmother watching this soap regularly.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
My favourite book is Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Katherine Paterson, J. K. Rowing, Cassandra Clare, etc.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Starbucks! My local Starbucks definitely knows me by face – not sure if they know my name.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Pride & Prejudice. I love the old and new versions.
Name two of your favourite authors.
Jane Austen, Emily Bronte.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have a ketchup chip addiction…and not the little bags.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Amy Smart.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
Calgary is one the cleanest city in the world.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I would like to write a 3rd book in the Teddy Owens series. I’m starting to work on another round of edits on the 2nd in the series. I’m also polishing up my Epic Fantasy.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
To visit Europe.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Cinderella
Who did you want to be when you were a kid?
I don’t remember wanting to be anyone in particular – just the best version of myself. I know that isn’t much of an answer – maybe a famous actress.
"Our perception of the world is shaped by our experiences and imagery. As a genre fantasy writer it's my job to create new possibilities."
My name is L. A. Cadieux, I’m a YA/New Adult writer and social media-aholic born in Lac La Biche, Alberta, living in Calgary, Canada. Since childhood I've been mesmerized by stories of fairy tales, knights, Greek and Roman mythology and comic book heroes. Naturally, I wanted to create my own worlds/characters and set off on a long quest to write fantasy novels. Creative, yet business minded, I went on to earn a Degree in Management from the University of Alberta Augustana, specializing in Business Economics.
I'm a Project Manager by day and by night I work on my stories. After shelving some of my earlier manuscripts I decided to focus on ONE LIFE, the first in a series of Teddy Owens Stories.
As a proud mom of two – I spend my days and nights multi-tasking.
Random facts: Tim Hortons coffee and ketchup chips are my vices. I’m also a fan of the HBO and CW Networks. My favourite book is Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE.
Website
Blog
Twitter: LACadieux_
Goodreads
Google+
Excerpt
“Admit it, you’re a mess.” My words were thick with accusation as I showed her the bottle. The lines separating a mother from her daughter began to blur, the tighter my fist clenched around exhibit #1: the medication bottle. “I found this in the trash.”
Angelique placed the soda she’d been sipping onto the kitchen counter. “Stop worrying about me. Honey, I’m fine. It was an accident—those merely fell into the garbage earlier,” she said. A bead of condensation rolled down the side of the aluminum can, seeping into a chip in the counter.
“Do you take me for an idiot? The trash isn’t exactly accessible.” I pointed to the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink. As I leaned forward my wet hair hung over my face. I’d gone and dyed my locks red a few weeks earlier. Fortunately, the color had faded after two washes.
“It’s completely plausible it fell under the sink,” she argued. Angelique turned to search the deserted street outside our tattered screen door—her actions were a clear indication of what I’d suspected all along.
“Please, look at me for one minute, and don’t start with one of your conspiracy theories—seriously—I can’t take another. This full bottle was in the washroom trash. I found it after taking a shower.” A knowing expression dawned on her face…she’d been caught in another lie. “You haven’t been taking your prescription. Why?” I shoved a hand into the pocket of my cut-off shorts and pulled out the telephone wiretap.
Angelique’s eyes narrowed in on it. “Teddy, give me the bug,” she demanded, placing a thin hand on my shoulder.
I tore out of her grasp. “In case you missed the memo, this isn’t normal. It’s not okay to spy on me. Angelique, I’m not your naïve little girl anymore.” I held up the listening device. “Your sickness is worse than ever. Your paranoia is out of control—you need help. I’m tired of trying to fix it.”
“I’m fine,” Angelique shrilled. Her hair was matted to her forehead, saturated with the humidity. “You have to trust me. I have my reasons.”
“I want to trust you.” I noted how her cheeks and eyes had sunken in. God, she wasn’t eating again. Her anxiety had worsened significantly since my sixteenth birthday. Lately, she’d watched me like I was going to burst into a man-eating tarantula at any moment. “You make it hard.”
“You can’t possibly understand.” She reached over to tug at my arm, resulting in a tussle over the bug. “Give me that already—it’s not yours,” she ordered.
As I ducked out of the way, she jerked my arm. “Let me go!” I tried to snatch my arm away.
“Please, can you try to keep your voice down?” She released me, only to glance outside in search of her imaginary tormentors.
“Why can’t you try to be a normal mother?” I asked, red-faced.
“It was never in the cards for you, honey.” She pushed a limp strand of brunette hair out of her face.
“You don’t listen, not even to the doctors,” I said sadly. “Try to keep care of yourself.” Taking aim, I flung the bottle against the refrigerator and watched with disdain as it burst open, sending pills spewing across the floor. Many of them disappeared into a filthy crack in the linoleum floor under the counter. “I’m not your babysitter!” Angelique stood rigidly, staring down at the pills. Considering her current state of mental health, and knowing my mother, she was probably asking herself if they could possibly be poisoned.
I opened my mouth, then closed it, and then opened it again. “Forget this—I’m done.” I threw my fists up into the air.
“Teddy,” Angelique shouted as I ran from the house. “Get back here this instant,” she ordered. “It’s dangerous—”
I slammed the squeaking screen door behind me, cutting her off.
If I wasn’t so livid I’d have taken notice of the police car sitting at the end of our street, but it was too late: the cops were stepping out of the car. An officer waved me over. Angelique was going to lose it on them, and it was my fault.
Making my way toward the cops, I started to panic. What should I say?
“Hello there,” the first officer said. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, nothing to report.” I stared down at my sneakers, not wanting to meet their cynical gazes.
“What’s your name?” the second asked.
“Teddy Owens, sir.”
“How old are you?” He leaned against his cruiser, tilting his head to the side to consider me.
“Sixteen—at the beginning of August.” I cringed as the screen door on our house banged shut. The officers wore amused expressions as Angelique stomped toward us. They wouldn’t be smiling if they knew what she was capable of.
“It’s going to be one of those nights,” the first officer said under his breath.
It was one of the last times I’d play the role of an innocent spectator.
“Admit it, you’re a mess.” My words were thick with accusation as I showed her the bottle. The lines separating a mother from her daughter began to blur, the tighter my fist clenched around exhibit #1: the medication bottle. “I found this in the trash.”
Angelique placed the soda she’d been sipping onto the kitchen counter. “Stop worrying about me. Honey, I’m fine. It was an accident—those merely fell into the garbage earlier,” she said. A bead of condensation rolled down the side of the aluminum can, seeping into a chip in the counter.
“Do you take me for an idiot? The trash isn’t exactly accessible.” I pointed to the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink. As I leaned forward my wet hair hung over my face. I’d gone and dyed my locks red a few weeks earlier. Fortunately, the color had faded after two washes.
“It’s completely plausible it fell under the sink,” she argued. Angelique turned to search the deserted street outside our tattered screen door—her actions were a clear indication of what I’d suspected all along.
“Please, look at me for one minute, and don’t start with one of your conspiracy theories—seriously—I can’t take another. This full bottle was in the washroom trash. I found it after taking a shower.” A knowing expression dawned on her face…she’d been caught in another lie. “You haven’t been taking your prescription. Why?” I shoved a hand into the pocket of my cut-off shorts and pulled out the telephone wiretap.
Angelique’s eyes narrowed in on it. “Teddy, give me the bug,” she demanded, placing a thin hand on my shoulder.
I tore out of her grasp. “In case you missed the memo, this isn’t normal. It’s not okay to spy on me. Angelique, I’m not your naïve little girl anymore.” I held up the listening device. “Your sickness is worse than ever. Your paranoia is out of control—you need help. I’m tired of trying to fix it.”
“I’m fine,” Angelique shrilled. Her hair was matted to her forehead, saturated with the humidity. “You have to trust me. I have my reasons.”
“I want to trust you.” I noted how her cheeks and eyes had sunken in. God, she wasn’t eating again. Her anxiety had worsened significantly since my sixteenth birthday. Lately, she’d watched me like I was going to burst into a man-eating tarantula at any moment. “You make it hard.”
“You can’t possibly understand.” She reached over to tug at my arm, resulting in a tussle over the bug. “Give me that already—it’s not yours,” she ordered.
As I ducked out of the way, she jerked my arm. “Let me go!” I tried to snatch my arm away.
“Please, can you try to keep your voice down?” She released me, only to glance outside in search of her imaginary tormentors.
“Why can’t you try to be a normal mother?” I asked, red-faced.
“It was never in the cards for you, honey.” She pushed a limp strand of brunette hair out of her face.
“You don’t listen, not even to the doctors,” I said sadly. “Try to keep care of yourself.” Taking aim, I flung the bottle against the refrigerator and watched with disdain as it burst open, sending pills spewing across the floor. Many of them disappeared into a filthy crack in the linoleum floor under the counter. “I’m not your babysitter!” Angelique stood rigidly, staring down at the pills. Considering her current state of mental health, and knowing my mother, she was probably asking herself if they could possibly be poisoned.
I opened my mouth, then closed it, and then opened it again. “Forget this—I’m done.” I threw my fists up into the air.
“Teddy,” Angelique shouted as I ran from the house. “Get back here this instant,” she ordered. “It’s dangerous—”
I slammed the squeaking screen door behind me, cutting her off.
If I wasn’t so livid I’d have taken notice of the police car sitting at the end of our street, but it was too late: the cops were stepping out of the car. An officer waved me over. Angelique was going to lose it on them, and it was my fault.
Making my way toward the cops, I started to panic. What should I say?
“Hello there,” the first officer said. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, nothing to report.” I stared down at my sneakers, not wanting to meet their cynical gazes.
“What’s your name?” the second asked.
“Teddy Owens, sir.”
“How old are you?” He leaned against his cruiser, tilting his head to the side to consider me.
“Sixteen—at the beginning of August.” I cringed as the screen door on our house banged shut. The officers wore amused expressions as Angelique stomped toward us. They wouldn’t be smiling if they knew what she was capable of.
“It’s going to be one of those nights,” the first officer said under his breath.
It was one of the last times I’d play the role of an innocent spectator.
Giveaway: L.A. Cadieux would like to give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card
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