Having celebrity parents isn’t as hot as it sounds. Yes, there’s money to burn, fame and some totally smoking guys…But when your dad’s more interested in blazing a trail to the top of the charts than why you got kicked out of school, again, it can make you seriously angry.And if there’s one thing Ember knows, it’s that the smallest spark of anger can ignite a whole heap of trouble…
If you use spotify you can also listen to all of Ember's favourite music here.
Name: Cathy Brett
Cathy Brett has been scribbling stuff for more than twenty years – as a fashion illustrator, as a jet-setting spotter of global trends and as a consultant to the behemoths of the British high street. She now lectures in design and unashamedly plunders her students' lives for sensational storylines and characters.
Early bird or night owl? Very early bird. In fact, I often beat the birds. I have my best ideas in the nanosecond before I wake at about 4.30am and keep a notebook beside my bed to jot things down. The disadvantage of this burst of creativity at dawn is that I’ve usually run out of juice by the evening. Not great if I’ve got a cool gig or arty party to go to!
What three words best describe you? Neurotic red-head! Is red-head one word? If it is, I’ll add another - obsessive.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you? I always used to envy people who’d say, ‘I got this weird feeling that something was wrong, then found out my brother broke his leg at that exact moment’ or ‘I bumped into a boy I fancied at school, strolling down a beach on a remote island in the Indian Ocean’. But that stuff never happens to me. Not even slightly spooky coincidences. So, I suppose the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me is that I was rubbish at almost everything at school (except drawing) and did lots of different ‘remedial’ lessons, now I’m a published writer - how weird is that?!!
Best midnight snack? Mmmm… cold sausages with loads of mustard so strong it makes your nose run!
Who would be your ideal date? Well, obviously someone like Rob Pattinson, so I’d have something gorgeous to look at, but I also love sparkling conversationalists, so Stephen Fry would have to join us. Then, I’ve always wanted to meet the genius director, Tim Burton and talk about his films… so a table for four, please!
Film that reduces you to tears? Oooh, so many to choose from! I cry very easily, even in the happy bits, so I could give you a very long list. I guess the one that’s guaranteed to have my mascara running is the scene at the end of ‘The Railway Children’ (the original with Jenny Agutter) when Bobby calls out to her father on the station platform… I’m welling-up!
Any phobias? I have quite serious vertigo, which I’ve always thought is a really sensible phobia as it makes me extra careful when I climb ladders. It also gives me an excuse not to climb ladders, of course. I’ve been to the top of the Empire State Building but stayed well away from the edge and I’ve never been further than the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
What was your worst job? Lucky me, I’ve loved every job I’ve ever done. I had a couple of nightmares when I was working as a Fashion Trend Spotter and had to travel a lot on my own. I missed a flight in Düsseldorf once, on a weekend when every single hotel room was full and ended up sleeping on a camp bed in a sauna! The hardest days work I ever did was when I was the Assistant Scenic Artist in a theatre. The set for one production had to be ‘struck’ (taken down) and the new one built, overnight! It was my job to paint the floor black, then splatter it all over with shades of grey to look like stone. The whole stage! I have never been so exhausted, but it was brilliant fun working with the rest of the crew.
What was the last song you listened to? I’ve just been listening to ‘The Fix’ by Elbow in my car and it’s all about fixing a horse race at Epsom… while I was driving past the racecourse at Epsom! Now maybe that’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me!
What’s your dream holiday destination? Either shopping and going to really cool, arty parties in New York or a luxury beach resort in Barbados… with Rob, Stephen and Tim, of course!
RUBY
She’s a doe-eyed, sweet-looking teen super-star eager to be Ember’s friend. Her innocent face would convince anyone she’s genuine. But we all know that looks can be deceiving.
FINN
A fun attentive waiter by day, a lead singer in a hot new band by night, the gorgeous Finn has got Ember well and truly under his spell. But does he like Ember for who she really is, or for whose daughter she is? Let’s hope Ember doesn’t fall too hard till she finds out.
EMBER FURY
She has a super-famous rock star Dad, a dead mother and a glamorous Hollywood actress for a stepmum – so she must be messed up, right? But apart from having the desire to play with fire – literally – Ember just wants a quiet life with her dad. The problem is, being quiet gets you nowhere in Ember’s world.
Sassy and entertaining the novel makes clever use of fresh and quirky graphic illustrations – Lovereading.co.uk
Name: Cathy Brett
