Meet Zara, from the Double Helix series

About the Double Helix series: 

His genetic code sourced from the best that humanity offers, Galahad embodies the pinnacle of perfection. When Zara Itani, a mercenary whose abrasive arrogance exceeds her beauty, frees him from his laboratory prison, she offers him the chance to claim everything that had ever been denied him, beginning with his humanity.

Perfection cannot be unleashed without repercussions, and Galahad’s freedom shatters Danyael Sabre’s life.

An alpha empath, Danyael is rare and coveted, even among the alpha mutants who dominate the Genetic Revolution. He wields the power to heal or kill with a touch, but craves only privacy and solitude—both impossible dreams for the man who was used as Galahad’s physical template.

Galahad and Danyael, two men, one face. One man seeks to embrace destiny, and the other to escape it.

The award-winning Double Helix series, consisting of Perfection Unleashed, Perfect Betrayal, and Perfect Weapon, will challenge your notions of perfection and humanity, and lead you in a celebration of courage and compassion. Science fiction, urban fantasy, and action-adventure readers will enjoy this thrilling roller-coaster ride as it twists and turns through a world transformed by the Genetic Revolution.

Today I'm happy to be talking with Zara Itani and her author, Jade Kerrion. I wanted to get to know Zara, and even though Jade's here, hopefully we'll be able to dish a little about her, as well.

Zara, tell us how you first met Jade

I think Jade was having a midlife crisis when we met. She was growing older, and realized that she was going to live out her life in the frantic corporate rat race of America, while being a mom with husband, two kids, and a mini van. She probably felt that she needed to live vicariously through someone else, namely me.

Jade: I am not having a midlife crisis!

Zara, did you ever think your life would end up being in a book?

I’m a mercenary, and I own an agency of mercenaries. No, I do not crave the spotlight or expect to make headlines, at least not with my name in print next to my unfortunate victims. Jade, however, appears to be a strong proponent of full disclosure—-it’s amazing, though how her novels are full of people who never disclose anything to anyone else—-and she decided to get my name out there.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the Double Helix series.

My favorite scene takes place in the second book, Perfect Betrayal. It’s an intimate moment with Danyael Sabre. It’s especially memorable because, if you know Danyael, then you know that Danyael doesn’t do “intimate” often. Danyael, of course, swears the encounter never took place. He’s lying, of course. We have a daughter and five genetic tests to prove it.

It sounds like you have a complicated relationship with Danyael. Tell the truth. What do you think of your fellow characters?

(Zara arches a perfectly tweezed eyebrow) They’re...charming, like black mambas are charming. Still, we’ve gone through a great deal together, and on a good day, I’d trust them, but not too much.

What do you like best about Danyael Sabre?

Do we have to talk about Danyael?

Well, your name is frequently mentioned in conjunction with his and Galahad’s. How do you choose between two men who look alike?

Danyael is Galahad’s physical template, but in every other way that matters, they are nothing like each other. Galahad, the lab-created perfect human being, is eager and impatient to seize the world. On the other hand, Danyael, after a traumatic childhood as an undiagnosed alpha empath, wants nothing more than to be left alone to do his job as a doctor in a charity clinic. I used to think Danyael was evasive and a coward, unwilling to face his past or embrace his mutant powers. He isn’t really. He’s both courageous and compassionate, but most people don’t see him for what he is.

And what about you? What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? How about after they've known you for a while?


Ideally, they’d know me as a practical, level-headed person who isn’t afraid of doing what it takes to get things done. After they’ve known me for a while, I hope they’ll continue to say the same thing.

Jade (in a stage whisper): Ask her about that compassionate streak...

(Zara shrugs an elegant shoulder) Not there. It doesn’t exist, and you can’t prove it.

Ladies, please. Jade, don't antagonize her! Zara, what would Danyael say about you?

(Zara flashes an amused smile) Ah, he’s much too polite to say anything, but if he did, I imagine he would say that I’m more abrasive than steel wool, and that I have a cruel and ruthless streak several miles wide. He wouldn’t say anything about compassion. Really, he wouldn’t.

Jade (scowling): He wouldn’t have fallen in love with you otherwise...

Jade, I may have to rethink my decision to let you sit in on this interview if you don't behave yourself. Zara, if your story were a movie, who would play you?

Kate Beckinsale would do a great job. She’s beautiful, and she knows how to kick ass. She’s not Lebanese-Venezuelan, but nobody’s perfect.

Will you encourage your author to write a sequel?

You must not know Jade very well. She doesn’t need encouragement to write a sequel. She’s just published the third book in the series and is working on the fourth. My real question is what does she have planned for that damnably elusive, emotionally distant alpha empath, Danyael Sabre, and me?

Oh. Okay...Well...maybe on a safer note--what do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

You already know what I do for a living; I find ways to keep busy to pay the bills. I also have a nine-month old daughter, Laura. She’s learning her alphabet by reading Dr. Seuss and gun catalogs.

(Jade pulls Zara to her feet and begins to drag her away): I am so sorry, Amy. This is why I don’t let my characters out unsupervised. I think they say stuff like that just to embarrass me.

Well. That certainly brings an abrupt end to our interview with Zara. (Calling to Zara and Jade) Thank you for being here, ladies. Zara, if you can sneak away from Jade, you're welcome to come back. In the meantime, I'm going to get to know you better by reading Perfection Unleashed and its sequels, Perfect Betrayal and Perfect Weapon.

Readers, I hope you will also take a look at the series. And if you'd like to know more about Jade, click here for my interview with her, or connect with her at the links below.


About Jade:

Jade Kerrion unites cutting-edge science and bioethics with fast-paced action in her award-winning Double Helix series. Drawing rave reviews for its originality and vision, and described as “a breakout piece of science fiction,” Perfection Unleashed, and its sequels, Perfect Betrayal and Perfect Weapon, are available in print and e-book through Amazon and other major retailers.

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Buy the books:

Perfection Unleashed Amazon Amazon UK Smashwords

Perfect Betrayal Amazon Amazon UK Smashwords

Perfect Weapon Amazon Amazon UK Smashwords