Interview with Captain Gills from Cabin Girl by E.G. Bella

Heya, readers! Welcome back! I am SO stoked for today’s post, but a bit of a recap. If you don’t know who E.G. Bella is, she just released her debut novel this week titled Cabin Girl. I am just so excited and happy for her, especially because I’ve been wanting to read this book for years now ever since I first met the sweet author behind it and she was talking about publishing it. AND NOW THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME!!! I have just been enjoying the blog tour for the book, but you guys are in for a real treat today as it looks like I’m the only one who is interviewing the infamous Captain Gills, and I couldn’t be more excited! I fell in love with his character instantly after this interview, and it looks like he’s going to be one of those villains you love to hate! Without further ado, here’s a bit about Cabin Girl and then on to the interview!

Eight years ago, young Éirinn O’Connell’s papa disappeared at sea.

Many sleepless nights later, in the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, Éirinn has given up on his return – while her mama continues to watch the horizon, her grasp of reality slipping. Desperate to provide for her and her sister, Éirinn learns all she can of medicine and spends her days struggling to assist villagers who shun her for her crooked back.

Then in one brutal night, Barbary pirates raid her village, and Éirinn is dragged from her family and the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn is forced to tend to the sick quartermaster. In addition, she must serve as cabin girl to the infamous Captain Gills, a hard-hearted man bent on thwarting her every attempt to return home…to the family she prays still lives.

As Éirinn searches for a way home, she soon finds that all is not what it seems aboard The Lonely Eye. Unrest brews and mutiny whispers. Allies appear in unexpected places. A cunning enemy plots. Who can she trust? Will her God carry her through the storms? And how can she survive the Captain’s constant torment?

The answers are unlike anything she expects.

Order your copy today on Amazon and/or add it to your Goodreads TBR shelf!

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1. Do you have any other interests besides, ya know, plundering and murdering and all that?

Well, what do you think I am? Some kind of simple-minded starfish? Of course I do. I happen to be quite fond of traveling, first. One of the perks of having your own ship and crew, you can go anywhere you please. As long as you’re always prepared for the worst.

I also favor the chance to think up excellent – dare I say perfect – insults in any spare moments. You never know when that element of intimidation and shock will give you the edge you need. In battle, conversation, any occasion. If you’re not thinking ahead, you’re already dead.

I mean, you’re not wrong.

2. What made you become a pirate? (If you can’t say because of spoiler-y reasons, I understand.)

Nothing made me. I made the choice. And it was not so much a choice of whether or not to become a pirate, but a choice of whether or not to be set free from the disgusting place some would say was my home before. But it wasn’t my home. It was a prison, and if it took piracy to gain a means to escape it, then that was what had to be done.

Ah, is this some tragic backstory you’re hinting at? I like it. 😉

3. In a battle, what’s your weapon of choice: a sword, a pistol, or your wits?

Wits aren’t negotiable. You’d be a fool to go anywhere without them. Lose those and you’ll be dead before you can say ‘barnacle brain’. Besides them, I carry my cutlass. A pistol is a coward’s weapon. But challenge a man to a duel of swords and that’s when you find out who he really is – and whether he’s worthy of survival.

I agree that wits aren’t negotiable!

4. While I know pirates never said “argh,” if it had become a trend back in the day, would you use it?

What would be the point in that? No, I’m not one to follow…trends. My younger, more foolish self may have indulged it for a time, but now I know – unless you set yourself apart from those antics, you’re no better than the common man. And I’m not one to be considered common.

Nope, you’re definitely not common.

5. What do you think is the coolest thing about being a pirate?

That’s an odd question, even for you. It doesn’t get very cold during the day, but the nights can be cool, especially in the later seasons. Some of my more pathetic crewman complain during those times, but I’ve never found it enough to deter me.

After all, being a pirate means freedom, means of exploration, a way to make a name for myself. That’s why I do it. Those are the best parts of my…occupation. Nothing else compares to it.

My apologies, Cap’n, for my usage of modern terms. I wasn’t referring to the weather, but I should’ve remembered you are from like four hundred years ago.

6. What is one skill all pirates should master?

Most may not consider courage a skill, but I do. Not hesitating, not waiting, not wasting a moment that others may pass by, because that moment may unlock everything you’re looking for.

That Ostrich, Éirinn anyway, was one of the worst examples of this that I’ve ever known. But under my example, even she has started to improve. Don’t waste time thinking and fretting. Just seize the moment and never shy away.

7. If you could only ever be on the sea or on land for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

The sea, without another thought. At sea, besides the stray unfriendly ship, your survival is between yourself and the world around you. You have no roads to follow, no rules to keep. If you perish, it’s because you weren’t fit for the sea and its perils.

Land is constricting and full of people with their own plans to keep, even if that means getting in your way. You can’t trust a single moment on land. Although I admit, it’s getting harder to trust the ones at sea as well.

Somehow, I just knew that would be your answer. 😉

8. What’s your favorite memory?

Why would you want to know that? You’re no better than the cabin girl, poking and prodding for information that’s private. What good is that knowledge to you? Are you planning something?

Because I don’t see how you could possibly cause me harm, especially now that I’m onto you, I’ll indulge you. Slightly. It involved my mother… before everything was ruined. And that’s all I’m going to say.

9. Finally, if you could be anything else, what would you be and why?

I don’t know if anyone’s ever asked me this before. At least not for a long time. See, there’s never been another option. And not for lack of trying.

My first choice has never really changed. I would still choose to be captain of a fine ship – sailing, exploring – but making a name for myself by transporting material goods, not…living ones. Life would be so much simpler that way.

But it’s too late for that.

Why are you still here anyway? Have you finished with your questions? You and the cabin girl would get along too well – you could ask each other invasive questions for hours and see how you each like it. But if you’ll excuse me, I have other – more important – matters to attend to.

Well, I suppose you do have a point. I am being a bit nosey, but it’s just what happens when you’re fictional, you see. Thank you anyways, Cap’n, for enduring my questions and for being the first pirate captain to be interviewed on my blog! It was such fun for sure! (And I’m just glad I made it through the interview before he started pulling out his pistols or challenging me to a duel!)

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Well, I don’t know about y’all, but I thought the captain’s answers were just pure gold! If that doesn’t make you want to read the book and find out more about the captain and Éirinn’s story, then I don’t know what will!!! If you want to know more about Cabin Girl, then check out E.G. Bella’s website and follow the tour for more awesome content!

E. G. Bella is a bookworm-turned-author with a passion for cheesy puns, colorful characters, and contagious faith. She writes stories infused with adventure, hope, and just enough humor, and strives to craft memorable and page-turning tales the whole family can enjoy.

When she’s not writing, thinking about writing, or gushing about her stories to her patient husband, Bella can be found sipping warm coffee, reading emotional books, and harmonizing with the radio. Sometimes all at once. You can visit her at www.egbella.com, where she blogs regularly about life, writing, and what she’s learning about both.