Welcome to another episode of Coffee Talk, my guest today is Arethusa from Artemis Rising, so let's get down to it!

 Alex: Okay, since this is coffee talk, what is your coffee drink of choice?
Arethusa:  We drink galãos on our island. It is strong Azorean coffee. *she smiles coyly* An acquired taste, you might say. Even I must use agreat deal of sugar.
Alex:  Arethusa and I thought I've heard of every name, is there a special meaning to it?
Arethusa: Oh, this name! It has been my curse and my blessing since the nightthe moon goddess Artemis christened me with it. The name literallymeans water-bearer and it is the name of one of the goddess's nymphswho is turned to water in order to escape the river god Alpheus'sadvances. But this is not merely a story. This fate has become my curse. But it has also led me to the love of my life."
Alex:  Not to be rude, but we sort of kind of look similar. Your family wouldn't happen to be from Palermo, Sicily would they? Just saying, the olive skin, the hair, I may have a good fifty pounds on you, but that happens. Artethusa: My family comes from the Azores Islands, which were settled in the 1400s by the Portuguese. In point of fact, Portugal owns the islands. I live on the third largest of the nine islands, though it is only eight by eleven miles in diameter. Terceira, it's called. I was not born there, but I would die there if I could. It is a heaven on earth. We have word that describes the longing we feel for the islands. 'Saudade.' There is no equivalent word in English, but it is best described as a deep longing for what cannot be." Alex: So boys, let's talk about them. They are probably knocking down your door or whatever your house has. Arethusa: Oh, we have doors. *smile* There are two boys actually. One whom I love yet cannot have and one who I am fated to love. He is willing to destroy everything to get what he wants, but I am strong. I will fight this. I would do anything for Tristan and I would do anything to get away from Diogo. Fate will tell what shall happen to us all." Alex: I see you checking out my cross necklace. One of my friends gave it to me after my first flight, but enough about me, are you a good catholic girl yourself? Arethusa: My father was a good Catholic. I am... *hesitates* I am a pagan like my mother. We follow the goddess Artemis. But such faith is not alwaysas it seems...
Alex: Since you probably aren't up on modern times, what is your favorite food and activity? Arethusa: I adore a soup we call 'caldinho.' It is potatoes and a leafy green like kale, which is carefully cut into long, thin strips. This is the most comforting soup we Azoreans know how to make.
I do love to write, since I can no longer speak. I...It was...an injury. My throat never recovered. So I write and the pen becomes myvoice. It is enough, I think.Alex: Anything else you would to add? Arethusa: Thank you, Señhor Alex, for taking precious time to speak with me. May the goddess protect you."  On the voy­age home to the Azores Islands, Eva accepts the pagan nameof Arethusa but learns too late that her life will mir­ror the Greeknymph's tragic end. Her mother reveals that her des­tiny lies withDiogo, the shipowner's volatile son. But Eva has a vision ofanother...
When the ship founders in a storm off the coast, Tristan, a local boy,saves her life and steals her heart. Destined to be with Diogo yetaching for Tristan's for­bid­den love, Eva must some­how choosebetween them, or fate will choose for her.  ********************************************************* Cheri Lasota's debut novel, Artemis Rising, is a YA historical fantasybased on mythology and set in the exotic Azores Islands. Currently,Cheri is writing and researching her second novel, a YA set on theOregon Coast. Over the course of her sixteen-year career, she hasedited fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, and short stories forpublication. Cheri also has twenty-four years of experience writingpoetry and fiction. Learn more about Artemis Rising athttp://www.cherilasota.com or buy it athttp://bit.ly/ArtemisRisingNovel.