Guest Post: Author Carolyn Crane + Giveaway
October 6, 2010 
44 Comments
I’m very excited to have Carolyn Crane author of Mind Games and Double Cross here at FVBR today giving us a little glimpse into the closets of our favorite characters from the Disillusionist series. Take it away Carolyn!
Disillusionist Fashion Week!
So, what exactly would characters from Mind Games and Double Cross wear? I know everybody has been losing tons of sleep wondering, so I have made these handy ensembles, courtesy of Polyvore, a site that sucks you in and makes you fiddle around with collages of clothes. OMG.
I actually got the idea from Jillian at Random Ramblings who got the idea from Steph at My Girl Friday.
First up: Shelby! Shelby is part of the disillusionists, the psychological hit squad in the trilogy. She infuses people with her grimness. But she wears bright, clashing colors—clothes, as her friend Justine observes, “perpetually at war.” And let’s face it, black would be too obvious for Shelby. In this way, she is like a Venus flytrap, luring the unsuspecting victim with bright colors, only to convince them that happiness is an illusion.
Flamboyant Otto Sanchez is a little bit Zorro, a little bit Wild West. As police chief, and later mayor, he has a style of his own—in addition to those awesome force fields powers. The quote “I am the law” is actually from Judge Dredd, the comic book series, and part of the inspiration for Otto, who is judge, jury and jailer to the paranormal criminals of Midcity. Sorry Otto, those are actually girl boots. But, they seemed so right for you!
Mastermind Packard has all the coolest clothes for that casual badass urban fantasy hero look. While being trapped in that restaurant for eight years, he wore a lot of nice white shirts, but now that he’s out, it’s all flannel leather and jeans. Actually, the boots aren’t quite right for him either, a bit too Jean-Claude, but you guys, I could have easily spent ten hours putting these together and shopping for my characters. It’s insanely fun. Anyway, the quote is from book #1, Mind Games. Justine, Shelby and the rest of the psychological hit squad is totally under Packard’s control, one of the things Justine wishes she knew before she joined up. And yes, he wears bright blue underpants. Yeah baby!
Justine is a somewhat practical dresser, with a kind of tomboy-gone-girl style, as evidenced by those kickass velveteen boots which, okay, don’t exactly go with the dress, but hey, a little artistic license! Justine has developed quite the taste for pretty dresses; she couldn’t afford them when she worked at the dress shop, but as a disillusionist, she can afford anything. Too bad she’s a minion of Packard’s, doomed to go around as a fake nurse, psychologically attacking the weird criminals of Midcity. I could see her in that purple dress at one of the Mind Games cocktail parties. She doesn’t get to dress up much in Double Cross, but that will change with book #3, seeing as how there’s a wedding coming up!
Okay! There we have it! Character clothes! What do you think about these ensembles? Whose closet would you like to go shopping in? Do you have any suggestions for clothes or accessories that Otto, Packard, Justine or Shelby are missing?
Thanks so much for the fun post Carolyn! I love seeing how an author would dress up their characters. I personally think Packard could totally rock the Jean-Claude boots, and Otto is just cool enough to make the girl boots work. –FV
***Giveaway***
Carolyn would like to giveaway a copy of either Mind Games or Double Cross, your choice! To enter, answer Carolyn’s fashion questions from her post. Giveaway is limited to US and Canada and is open until October 14, winner announced soon after. I must be able to contact you via email if you win.
Visit Carolyn Crane: Website
Purchase the books:
Mind Games: Amazon || Book Depository
Double Cross: Amazon || Book Depository
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Packard – "my mere inattention could destroy you" LMAO! So true…;)
My suggestion would be for Packard to not wear anything at all. Just sayin:)
ps – cool site!!
Fun post! Bright blue underpants, eh? And a wedding?!…huh.
And I agree with Mandi and her suggestion for Packard…
(don't enter me as I already have both books and adore them completely…just wanted to say hi)
I LOVE Packard. That is all.
Polyvore is such a cool site.I love playing with it.
Pssst-don't enter me.
Otto has a Zorro doll? LOL.
Love Justine's purple dress.
Love Packard's electric blue undies, a nice surprise. However, I prefer him to go commando!!! JS
Neat idea! I like seeing author's ideas of what their characters would look like (even just their clothes.) I think Justine's wardrobe looks like the most fun.
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail
I would definitely shop in Justine's closet. But I don't like her shoes. I'M VERY picky when it comes to shoes lol
Love Packard's style. Wouldn't mind my bf wearing some of those pieces *winks*
Thanks for the giveaway ^^ my email is on my profile =)
I want Justine's closet! Gah, those boots are killer (in a good way).
Thanks for dropping by you guys!
Okay don't mind me. I have all this work to do but I keep coming back to moon over Justine's dress and boots.
LOL This post is brilliant..
Please don't enter me, I have both Carolyn's wonderful books..
Let's see, I think I'd like to go shopping in Justine's closet – definitely some awesome fashion sense there..
Hey, does the dashing flamboyant Otto Sanchez prefer commando? I think that certainly fits the ensemble..
Thanks for sharing ladies!!
I actually found a showerproof beret online for Otto, but it was red.
LOL Lea! Right! I forgot Otto's underpants!!
What an awesome post! I love it. Justine's and Packard's wardrobes are my favorite. Otto's kind of scares me. But then Otto kind of scares me, too….
I love Justine's boots! Loves. I'm dying to steal Otto's beret, I'm just mean like that and I'm not going to lie, I want to tackle Packard now that I've seen his gear. HOT!! I'm dying lol'ing at Shelby's green brass knuckles on a chain. So chic.
LOL Great post! I'd love those velveteen boots Justine has – those rock! After Justine's wardrobe I'd probably go for Packards – I love my jeans!
Please don't enter me as I have both books.
Carolyn—Wonderful! I can see your characters in these clothes (especially Packard in the jeans with the holes on the thigh.) And the Justine boots—oh, yeah. I’m a bit surprised you left Simon out of the shopping spree. He probably wouldn’t cooperate, right?. Next time.
Don’t enter me. I have both books and they are fantastic. Can’t wait for the third.
I'd love to win Mind Games!
Great fun seeing these ensembles!
I'd most like to go shopping in Justine's closet … Love those boots and purple dress!
I'd like to see what kind of socks you'd give Justine to put inside those boots.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com
This makes me wish there were paper dolls to dress for all my favorite characters.
I like Justine's clothes the best although Packard's long black leather coat is hot (and not just because I have something similar). Shelby's clothes are quirky.
I suppose elaborate Western spurs would be too much even for Otto.
cories119[at]yahoo.com
I'd love to win Mind Games!
I like Justine's closet – especially the velveteen boots.
If Otto gets to have an action figure, Packard needs one as well -perhaps Superman since they both like blue and showing off their undies.
d.septer at insightbb.com
Oh, I'd love either book as I am dying to read them! I also have to say I love Justine's style. It matches me! I am in love with that jacket and purple dress!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
I loved getting a glimpse of everyone's closet. I'd like to go shopping in Justine's closet the most, her clothes are amazing. I think Otto needs more leather, in black of course.
I'd love to win Mind Games since I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
Great closets! I would shop in Justine's closet.
I think all of the clothes are great. I would love to go shopping in Justine's closet but I'm not sure I'm cool enough to pull off that rocker look.
I would shop in Otto or Justine's closets. Great post, love the visuals!
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I would want to shop in Justine's closet. The boots are great.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
What a fun post! I like Justine's closet, but would not want to shop in it. Way, way too young for me.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
Am I a horrible chick if I say I wouldn't shop in Justine or shelby's closets… ever?? So totally not my style. Although I love it on other's… it totally would not be me!!
I want to shop in Packard's closet – maybe not for me but for my DH. Love that leather trench coat.
If I win, I'd choose Mind Games.
jen at delux dot com
Love this post, lol! Poor Shelby, I wouldn't want to shop there, I like Packard or Justine.
If chosen, either one of the books is fine with me.
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
This post is too funny! I love the Justine ensemble. And I think Otto needs a pin stripe suit a la mafia gangster.
spettolij AT gmail DOT com
Can I lend Packard's selection for BF please? Cuz seriously Mandi is right and he shouldn't wear anything at all. LOL
Don't enter me, I already had the pleasure.
Awesome post!
Love it! The Packard look is totally hot. But where's Simon's furry coat and washboard abs? I think I want Disillusionist action figures.
Think Shelby would have a blast raiding Abby's closet from NCIS. Me, I'm not that brave, lol.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Oh! What an awesome concept for an interview/guest blog…thingy. I love the snapshots into such a mundane aspect of their lives! I like the casualness of Packard's wardrobe but think I'd prolly do my shopping in Justine's closet. I also think Justine would look cute in Tantor (from Disney's TARZAN) scrubs.
vaderfangirl(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This is so fun! I loooove polyvore
I love the boots you have in all the sets 
Thank you for the chance to win!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
I'd love to win Mind Games!!
I think Packard needs some kind of tight tank top or really tight shirt to show off an amazing body I am sure he has. I have yet to read these books, but those clothes scream smoking hot to me 
Better yet, I see those boxer briefs, let's just leave those and the boots 
I love the wardrobes and I would most like to steal clothes out of Justine's. Steal, borrow….same thing
I'm usually a jeans and tshirt girl myself, but I love Justine's closet. Those are some great clothes.
jlynettes @ hotmail . com
I would for sure be shopping in Justines closet!!
Great Giveaway for sure!!
I've been wanting these books for a while now great oppurtunity!
I like Justine's closet the best.
Thanks for the giveaway.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like Justine's closet. I love the boots, the spider charm neclace, and the purse. I would love to win either book. I have never read anything by Carolyn Crane and am always looking for new authors to read. I would love to win both books or which ever is the first book of the series. Would also love to know if there are any other books in the series. . Please pick me.
I like Shelby's closet…
Please enter me in the giveaway.
I would go shopping in Shelby's closet because its so colorful! Thanks!