Noura and Estelle

April Character Interview

Patricia Parrington ~ April 15, 2026

Hello my lovely readers and fellow book-lovers! For those of you new here, I, your sometimes forgetful host Patricia Parrington, have the pleasure of interviewing characters from books all over the world.

Today, Noura (and Estelle) are here with us from the adult historical suspense The Scorpion Thief by Janyre Tromp. Janyre is an award-winning, best-selling historical suspense novelist who writes fiery myth-laced tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty—even when it isn’t pretty. Her books include The Scorpion Thief, Darkness Calls the Tiger, and Shadows in the Mind’s Eye. But she’s also a mom, award-winning editor, and wrangler of all things—including her fantastic teens and crazy fur babies.

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Meet Noura (and Estelle)

[Patricia walks into the studio and smiles at her guest, somewhat distractedly as she glances around the room.]

Welcome to Fable Features!

[She frowns, tugs on her long green hair, then sits on the orange suede couch.]

I was going to grab something before we began, but I can’t remember what. No matter. Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there?

[Noura laughs softly, the kind of laugh that slips out before she can stop it. She sets aside a careful stack of note cards, straightening them instinctively before answering, then tucks a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear.]

Often. Usually when I’m carrying too many thoughts at once. It’s like my mind stumbles over its own feet.

[The door creaks open behind them. A woman slips into the studio as if she belongs there.]

Or it means you’re carrying too many thoughts at once—and one of them slipped out the back.

[Noura turns, surprise flashing across her face before it melts into a nervous smile.]

Estelle?

[Estelle leans against the doorway for a moment, surveying the room with amused curiosity before wandering farther inside.]

What? Someone had to make sure you didn’t turn the whole thing into a lecture on Bronze Age trade routes.

[Noura presses her lips together, trying not to smile.]

Sorry, Patricia—this is my sister, Estelle. And I was answering the question.

[Estelle drops into the nearby chair with theatrical exhaustion, crossing one ankle over her knee.]

And doing it very responsibly, I’m sure.

[Patricia chuckles and gives a nod of greeting to Estelle.]

Welcome, Estelle!

[She arches an eyebrow at Noura.]

Bronze Age trade routes, huh? Is that an interest of yours?

[Noura responds,]

As it relates to Egypt, yes. The Bronze Age was the height of the New Kingdom with some of the most famous Egyptians pharaohs . . . including King Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. There’s more than a little intrigue between the building projects and Tut’s mysterious death. Did you know?

Why does it matter what happened a million years ago?

[Estelle asks.]

If we don’t learn from history, we’re—

I know. We’re doomed to repeat it. But sometimes you have to look up from history to see what’s happening in front of you.

[Noura sucks in a calming breath and blows it out.]

I completely agree.

That is very interesting!

Speaking of the past, what was your favorite thing to do when you were children?

[Noura responds first.]

Read. My father had a shelf of history books, and I treated them like doors. I loved exploring new places and seeing new perspectives. I especially loved myths and history.

It’s why I became an Egyptologist. Ancient Egypt was built around the idea that truth matters—that the heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at. I’ve always believed history helps us understand who we are . . . and who we might become.

[Estelle drums her fingers on the arm of her chair.]

She also likes old things because they don’t talk back.

That is not—

Tell them the real reason.

[Noura exhales through her nose, then folds her hands in her lap.]

Because the past is quieter than the present. But it also helps us understand people who are different than us. It gives us a place to start talking and listening.

That makes sense! It’s certainly important to understand other people and start those conversations.

[Patricia swings her attention to the sister, knowing better than to try to railroad Estelle.]

And you, Estelle?

[Estelle tips her chair back slightly, balancing on the rear legs.]

Climbing things I wasn’t supposed to climb.

Sneaking into places I wasn’t supposed to be.

And asking questions people didn’t want to answer.

[She lets the chair thump back down.]

Some habits stick.

You must’ve been a handful as a child!

[Patricia cocks her head slightly, inquisitive.]

Do you two talk to your family much?

Families are . . . complicated.

[Noura responds.]

Flattering. I was expecting you to say that we’re exhausting.

[Estelle says.]

[Noura rubs her forehead like she’s staving off a headache.]

Case in point. But I love my family. I’d do anything for them.

Unless you think they’re wrong.

My sister would say she’s principled. Which is a polite way of saying she refuses to break rules even when the rules are wrong.

[Noura gives her sister a hard look.]

Estelle. Now is not the time.

[Estelle’s smile fades just a fraction.]

What she means is that none of us talk much. There’s too much that’s happened, too many people we’ve lost. Too many tragedies that we’ve ignored.

[A small silence settles. Then Noura breaks the silence.]

Like I said . . . complicated.

[Patricia nods understandingly.]

I get it. Every family has its own messes and complications, right? Sounds like there’s a lot going on in your family right now. We’ll move on to the next question!

What was the best compliment you’ve ever received?

[Noura stares at the ceiling while she considers the question.]

Someone once told me I was trustworthy. That meant more to me than being called intelligent or talented. Knowledge can be impressive, but trust is . . . harder earned.

When someone believes they can place something fragile in your care—a secret, a responsibility, even a piece of history—that feels like a sacred thing.

[She hesitates, then smiles dreamily.]

A colleague once said he trusted me to see what others missed. I think that might be the best compliment.

[Patricia smiles.]

What a lovely compliment!

[Estelle raises a single eyebrow.]

Trustworthy is a very Noura compliment.

What would yours be?

[Noura retorts.]

[Patricia leans forward slightly.]

Yes! What about you, Estelle?

Someone once called me impossible to predict.

[Estelle smiles too sweetly at her sister.]

I decided to take that as praise.

That sounds more like a warning.

[Estelle shrugs.]

Maybe. But people who think they’ve figured you out stop paying attention. I prefer to keep them guessing.

I’d love to hear more about that! When was a time you did something others would describe as impossible to predict?

I just walked in here, didn’t I?

[Estelle smirks, but her eyes are sparkly with mischief.]

One of my favorite stories is the time I hid in a friend’s suitcase to escape from . . . Well, I better not tell you that story. Let’s just say I find very creative ways to disappear when I need to.

Wow! Now I’m curious to know how you managed to fit in a suitcase. That couldn’t have been too comfortable.

[Patricia tilts her head as a new question pops up.]

What are you most scared of?

[Noura hesitates, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she considers the question.]

Conflict, I suppose.

Not the loud kind. That’s obvious enough. It’s the quiet kind that worries me—the kind that settles between people and slowly pulls them apart.

[She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.]

I think I’m most afraid of losing someone because I didn’t find the right words in time.

[Estelle watches her sister for a moment before answering.]

Being trapped.

[She shifts forward in the chair, elbows on her knees.]

Not cages exactly. Though I’ve had my fill of those too.

I mean the kind where someone else decides what you’re allowed to do. Or where the world closes in and you can’t move.

[She leans back again.]

I prefer to keep my options open.

I can see that! I’m not a big fan of being told what to do, either. Those are both very relatable fears I’m sure some of our readers will resonate with.

[Patricia tugs on a lock of her green hair.]

I’m curious—what advice would you give someone who shares the same fear?

Just keep moving, I guess. If you don’t depend on anyone, no one can catch you off guard.

[Estelle says.]

[Patricia nods, mulling over the answer.]

I could see that. You can’t really move forward if you’re not moving at all!

Moving onto a more lighthearted question, which body part do you wish you could detach?

[Noura frowns.]

Detach?

[Estelle smirks.]

Her brain. It would finally get some rest.

[A snort of laughter erupts from Patricia.]

[Noura begins to protest.]

That’s not—

[Estelle raises an eyebrow.]

You carry half the world around in there. Ancient civilizations, ethical dilemmas, other people’s feelings. It’s exhausting just watching you.

[Noura folds her arms.]

Thinking is not a flaw.

No, but occasionally setting it aside might improve your sleep, and you might actually get something done for once.

And you?

[Noura retorts.]

Personally, I’d detach my conscience from time to time.

That explains quite a lot.

[Estelle shrugs.]

It interferes with getting things done.

[Patricia’s head swivels back and forth as she watches the sisters.]

Detaching your brain or conscience would certainly change some things!

[She glances down at the papers in her lap.]

Ooh, I like this next question: What are your thoughts on hope?

[Noura pauses, thinking.]

Hope so often feels like such slim protection from reality. But I think it’s always there if you look for it. It doesn’t shout or demand attention. It simply refuses to disappear.

Even when everything around it suggests it should.

I think hope is what allows people to keep trying—to believe that truth and justice are still worth pursuing, even when the world feels unbalanced.

[Estelle traces the seam of the chair with her thumb.]

Hope is stubborn.

That’s another way of saying it.

People think hope is something soft and delicate. It isn’t. Hope white-knuckle holds on. It’s the thing that keeps showing up after every reasonable person would have walked away.

[Estelle shrugs.]

It’s irritatingly persistent.

[Noura smiles slightly.]

Yes. That too.

What a great way to define hope! And I think you’re right—it’s far from soft and delicate, isn’t it?

[Patricia glances at her wrist.]

Wow! Time flies. Let’s squeeze in one last question before you two head out.

If you could give younger you one piece of advice, what would you say?

Speak sooner.

[Noura glances at her sister and then away.]

And forgive faster.

[Estelle responds,]

I’d tell younger me two things.

First: learn to run faster.

Second: trust your sister sooner.

You trusted me eventually.

Eventually,

[Estelle agrees.]

Of course, some lessons are easier to see in hindsight. Especially when the past refuses to stay buried.

Great answers.

[Patricia smiles warmly and stands.]

Thank you so much for coming out today, Estelle and Noura. It was lovely getting to know you and I hope the family complications get a little less complicated!

End of interview.

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Want to Read More?

Noura and Estelle’s author, Janyre Tromp, can be found on Instagram and @JanyreTromp everywhere else, or you can visit her website, www.JanyreTromp.com, where you can download a free copy of Guardian of the Red Desert and subscribe to the Books & Beauty Journal. You can purchase The Scorpion Thief here.

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See Ya Next Time

Aaand that's all the time we have today. Thank you, readers, for coming. And thank you, Noura and Estelle, for letting us get to know you! See y'all next time.

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If you would like to submit a character to be interviewed for a future issue of Fable Features, please send an email to linnae.writer@gmail.com with the subject line: Fable Features.

Please note that erotica and content with excessive vulgar language will not be accepted.

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