Architect. Survivor. Storyteller. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Fae Norris-Peeters, the compelling central figure of Stephanie Matthews’ gripping novels, The Gift and The Eve’s End. From restoring historic buildings across Europe to rebuilding the fractured pieces of her past, Fae’s journey is as beautifully layered as the structures she preserves. With wit, wisdom, and a no-nonsense view of the human condition, Fae doesn’t just invite us into her story—she dares us to look closer. Come meet the woman behind the headlines, the trauma, and the triumph.
Q: What’s your full name?
A: Fae Norris-Peeters. Before I married, it was just Fae Peeters.
Q: Where were you born?
A: Vancouver, B.C. God’s paradise on Earth.
Q: Are you a main character?
A: We’re all the main character in our own story, aren’t we? So yes, I am the main character.
Q: What do you do for work/career?
A: I’m an architect. I’ve had a pretty great career so far; I’ve been as lucky and fortunate as I’ve really worked hard for it. My career really started while I was completing my Master’s in Brussels. I began working under Bruno Gessel, who saw fit to introduce me to the owner of a firm in Berlin which specialized in repurposing, sustaining, and preserving historical buildings. I’ve always loved the old style of buildings and this job was a perfect fit for me. My career and creativity took off and I’ve since had many honours and opportunities I could only dream of when I was younger. I was the only North American and only woman asked to join the team who designed the European Union’s Art and History Centre in Zürich, and since moving back home to Vancouver, I started my own firm. I really love what I do so I could go on, but I know you’re not reading this interview for my architecture career. No, I think you’re more interested to see if what you’ve heard about my story is true, if it’s as haunting as the people say. You’re a gawker, and that’s okay, we all are. Crane our neck at the car accident to see how much damage is done as you slowly drive by on your way to the grocery store, grateful it wasn’t you. We’re all human, it’s what we do.
Q: Without giving anything away, do you have scars? Physical or emotional?
A: A few scars from paper cuts and dropped hammers! As for emotional scars? You can’t even imagine.
Q: Describe where you live?
A: I live in the mountains just outside Vancouver city with my husband and my daughter. It’s a homey log wood home I designed myself and made from trees that naturally fell over from storms. It’s my haven of peace. It’s an open concept but has a good mix of small, cozy rooms where everyone can have some space and privacy if they need. There’s a deck that overlooks the forest below, and nothing can beat a chilly, winter night and wrapping myself up in my favourite alpaca blanket and staring out into the night sky. The city lights pollute the sky too much to see all the stars, but my home is my peace.
Q: How many stories have you been in?
A: Two. The Gift; The Eve’s End.
Q: As a character, who is your favorite character in your stories?
A: I haven’t really heard anyone refer to themselves as characters in their own stories before; interesting. I suppose it’s no different than being an actor on the stage of life. I don’t really have a favourite “character” in my story, per se. But I am really close with my cousin, Maël. He’s become such a close friend over the years. He’s a really great, caring person, and he knows my emotional scars maybe the best of anyone. In fact, we have some of the same scars since we’ve both survived Christmas Eve. No spoilers.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
A: Time travel. Tell my younger self to listen to the people who were just trying to tell me what I was too young and angry to hear. Tell myself that grudges don’t hurt the other person, they only hurt you.
Q: Any archenemies you can tell us about?
A: Ha! Ha, yes, though we’ve moved beyond that now. Now we’re both adults in the room where before our youthful pride came before both our falls. Her name is Elise. She’s a wonderful professional devoted to her village and its vitality. I was young and wore a chip on my shoulder like a badge of honour. We clashed when we first met, to say it nicely, but that clash- our falls from our pride- actually brought us together.
Q: How about a love interest? Do you have a significant other?
A: My babe, Jordan. He doesn’t really come into the part of my story that you can read, but without him, I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today. When we found each other, we became best friends pretty quickly, and then he found a way to love me despite the emotional scars. He’s honestly the most fun guy I have ever been around.
Q: Do you have any phobias?
A: I have a hard time being in concerts where they have fog machines. Or being in fog in general. Again, no spoilers, but I have diagnosed PTSD and fog, smoke, hazy conditions … anything like that is a big trigger.
Q: Do you ever lie? Or are you always truthful?
A: Everybody lies. Especially to themselves.
Q: Do you have a best friend? If so, could you tell us about them? Their traits?
A: It’s cliché, but honestly my husband, Jordan, is still my best friend. We have so much in common that we’ll never run out of things to do together, to talk about, to experience together. I tell him all the time that we’ll die together because I don’t think I could outlive him for long, and he’d probably die from not finding food in the fridge without me! I joke, of course, but after everything I’ve gone through, I have a hard time connecting with people. Now that I’m older and have gone through lots of official and unofficial therapy I’ve gotten better at making connections with others, but I think the window has passed for me to make a new “best” friend.
Q: Do you have a pet?
A: We have a golden retriever. When we went into the shelter, my daughter and this three-year-old golden retriever instantly bonded and we couldn’t do anything but bring him home. We love the floof-face.
Q: Name three things you love.
A: Tranquility. My career. My family. Bonus: Italian croissants.
Q: Name three things you loathe.
A: How about “hate”? Loathe is so strong.
I hate an unwillingness to change an opinion. The bad kind of religion. That look on people’s face when you know they don’t believe what you’re saying, smile and nod to your face, then immediately gossip once you walk away. Bonus: flights that depart before 7 am.
Q: Do you like to read? What sort of books?
A: I do like to read. I’m always reading architecture and design literature, and my go-to escape read is light romance. But I also go through seasons where I tend to focus on one type of book. Like, I went through a philosophy phase a few years ago and I really got into Kierkegaard. I highly recommend him for anyone who wants to dabble in philosophy.
Q: Do you drive? If so, what type of vehicle do you have? Or do you walk? Take public transportation?
A: I have a Porche for the fun drives, but we, Jordan and I, also have a Mazda for more of the daily driving. Even though I’m not big into cars, I do like a good driving road.
Q: What’s the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?
A: The sunrise.
Q: What’s the most horrendous thing you have ever seen?
A: You know how your grandparents didn’t really talk about the war very often, or at all? Well, this is where I answer by pointing to start of my story, “The Gift” because I don’t really talk about this.
Q: If you could visit a fictional place, other than our own, where would you go?
A: I really don’t know. Maybe I’d insert myself into those “Mamma, Mia!” movies.
Check out interviews with Indie Authors
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Shari T Mitchell’s Detective Lieutenant Danny Gregg
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TL Brown’s Lucie Bellerose
Jennifer Brasington-Crowely’s Raven Xerces
TL Brown’s Sebastian St. Michel
Rose J. Fairchild’s Aura Prisma Cordyline
Thanks so much for hanging out with Fae, Stephanie and me. I’ll be back soon with more interviews, character profiles, and Marnie Reilly Mysteries news.
Take care and see you next time!👋
