Character Sketch

An in-depth look at a character by an author.

  • Character Sketch,  Regency

    Sir Phillip from A Devilish Slumber @ShereenVedam #RLFblog #Regency

    A Devilish Slumber 

    Shereen Vedam shares details about the creation of Phillip in the book A Devilish Slumber.

    About the Book

    Title A Devilish Slumber (The Rue Alliance Book 1)
    Genre Regency Fantasy Romance
    Author Shereen Vedam
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
    The last of her family, Rose is mired in grief at the recent death of her beloved sister and the abandonment by the man she loves. Wanting to avoid the cloying attention of friends, servants and well-wishers, she becomes a recluse. Then one day, she meets a woman who reminds Rose of her gentle mother . . . and then news comes of her new friend’s brutal murder. Rose refuses to accept this latest blow lying down. So she resurrects an ancient, magical, family talent to re-shape her features in order to disguise herself as a young man, and goes hunting for her friend’s killer through London’s seedier lanes and dangerous dockyards.
    Sir Phillip, the Regent’s favored spy, returns from war determined to win back the woman he was forced to leave three years ago. But when he witnesses Rose covered in blood, racing from a brutal scene while gripping the murder weapon, he goes on a desperate mission to unravel what he hopes is a case of mistaken identity.
    Will Rose ever get her happily-ever-after? Possibly. But first, she’ll have to convince Phillip of her innocence-before the killer strikes again . . .

    Introducing Phillip Jones

    Name: Sir Phillip Crispin Jones
    Age: 23 years old
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: London, England
    Profession: the Regent’s favored intelligence officer
    Describe Phillip’s body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: 6′, lean, agile, narrow face, strong, generous, courageous, passionate and thrives on fast-paced adventures
    Who is the significant other in Phillip’s life?
    Lady Roselyn (Rose) Ravenstock
    Tell us about this character, please.
    Rose was inspired by the fairy tale character, Sleeping Beauty. She is the twenty-one year old daughter of an earl, who only wants peace and quiet to come to terms with an unquenchable sorrow and overwhelming remorse. Though none of it was her fault, she feels as if she might be jinxed to bring harm to anyone who cares for her. To avoid entanglements, Rose has become a recluse, even discharging all of her well-meaning but clinging servants. All but one, a loyal young maid fleeing her own troubled family who insists on staying to the point of harming herself with her incessant knocking at Rose’s front door. Rose relents and allows her to come inside and care for a now secluded house and its lonely, heartbroken mistress.
    On what special skills does Phillip rely?
    Phillip is an Intelligence Office for the Regent in 1814, London, England. He is often sent to war-torn Europe to infiltrate enemy camps and unearth military secrets. He has a keen sense for noting details and a quick wit that has helped him stay alive in dangerous times. Possessing a naturally suspicious mind, he also has a particular knack for uncovering deception.
    What kinds of things does Phillip always carry?
    He never leaves home without two things: 1) a walking stick with a handy rapier, a long thin sword, hidden within, and, 2) a circular tinderbox and accompanying candle, for his late night prowls down dark alleyways in search of suspects.
    Is Phillip close to family?
    He loves his cousin Rufus like a brother, but they had a falling out after a childhood misunderstanding resulted in Rufus paying a steep price for something Phillip had done. Though Rufus seems to hold no grudges, Phillip has never forgiven himself for that mistake.
    Can Phillip keep a secret (why or why not)?
    Phillip keeps lots of secrets. Though recently, one of his best kept secrets was leaked to the press.
    What is Phillip’s biggest need at the beginning of the story?
    Before she sent him away, Rose accused Phillip of being unable to trust anyone. So he wants to quiet his constantly probing mind in order to perceive the good in people as well as he does their darkness.
    Who has the power to hurt Phillip the most and why?
    Phillip’s first attempt to practice his rusty trusting skills is to befriend a young stranger he meets while on a case. Ben Turner is searching for the same ruthless killer that Phillip hunts. Except Ben has a secret that could devastate Phillip, and shake his ability to trust in anyone ever again, especially Rose.
    What is Phillip willing to give up to win Rose’s heart?
    He is willing to give up his lifelong goal to right wrongs.

    About Your Writer

    Shereen Vedam 

    To honor the person who chose to share your story, please answer the following questions.

    What do you wish your writer had not told others about you?
    My role as the Regent’s Intelligence Officer is a sensitive one that relies on absolute secrecy. Except, thanks to Shereen, I am now the talk of London. The events in her last book resulted in my greatest secret, my clandestine work for the Regent, being spilled to the press. As a result, the rags have even been printing cartoons about me! A cartoon. Can you believe it? My life’s work is now a public joke.
    Is there anything you’d like to say to Shereen?
    Considering my answer above, it might surprise you to learn that I wish to thank Shereen. For NOT portraying me a deuced deluded dummy. Did you read her first draft? She made me out to be some sort of idiot who couldn’t find a worm in an apple orchard. Thank heavens her final draft acknowledged my detecting skills as exemplary. And she also gave me a chance to win Rose back, not just her love but her invaluable friendship. For that latter accomplishment, I might even forgive Shereen for the cartoon catastrophe.

    Buy This Book

    Publisher ImaJinn Books, an imprint of Belle Books
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-devilish-slumber?store=allproducts&keyword=a+devilish+slumber
    ARe https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-adevilishslumber-1767197-143.html

    Author Bio

    Once upon a time, Shereen read fantasy and romance novels to entertain herself. Now she writes heartwarming tales braided with threads of magic and love, and mystery elements woven in for good measure. She’s a fan of resourceful women, intriguing men, and happily ever after endings. If her stories whisk you away to a different realm for a few hours, then Shereen will have achieved one of her life goals.

    Author Social Media

  • Character Sketch,  Modern Western

    Mitch Weston The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal by @BarbaraWDaille #RLFblog #contemporaryromance

    A Character Sketch includes character information, book
    cover, blurb, buy links, and social media contacts for the author.

    Interview with Mitch Weston

    Tell us about yourself,
    please.
    Mitch Weston. LA cop. Now sidelined by an undercover op that
    got shot to hell. That got my partner killed, thanks to me. That left me one of
    the walking wounded, in more ways than one.
    According to my department-assigned shrink, I need to talk things
    out. Problem is, I’m not much of a talker. I’m a doer. Though not lately.
    Authors call what you
    want but cannot have “the conflict” — what is yours?
    You sound like my shrink. (Smiles.) No offense.
    Where do you want me to start?
    I want to go back in time and reverse what happened in LA –but
    I can’t.
    I want to go even further back, to my teens, and prevent what
    happened then –when the girl I loved walked away without a second glance. Can’t
    do that, either. And currently, that girl –that woman –is in my life again…temporarily.
    But this time around, I can’t get her to give me even a first glance.
    Most of all, I want to trust my instincts. But… (shrugs) I’d
    imagine you can fill in the blank.
    Drawing from my shrink sessions again…am I bitter? Maybe. Frustrated?
    For sure. Heartsick? That’s not something you’ll ever hear me admit.
    What can you not do (but
    need to do) during this story?
    Redeem myself. Trust my instincts again. Convince Andi to let
    me help her, to protect her. Because it’s what I do.
    What inner doubt causes
    you the most difficulty?
    Why didn’t I push harder to follow my instincts when I had the
    chance?
    In the story world your author created, explain what it is you
    fear most and why.
    Not being 100% again. Not getting the girl I’ve always loved…
    Though current events have shown me that not
    getting
    Andi means I’ve never hit 100%.
    Tell us about your significant
    other, that person who makes living worthwhile.
    Going by the previous answer, I guess we’d say Andi makes me
    whole.
    What is your family like?
    Great. Dad’s a sheriff; he understands what I’m going through.
    Mom’s…Mom. She just understands me,
    even when I don’t understand myself. I’m the oldest of five, and now I’m back home
    again, I see the caring, the concern from everyone. The family’s need to make me
    all better again. And their strange reluctance to mention the elephant in the room.
    What special skills do
    you rely on?
    Whatever it takes to be a cop. Everything I heard from my dad
    and grandfather, both career sheriffs. Everything I learned in the academy. Everything
    I’ve picked up since –from fellow officers, from my former partners, from felons
    I’ve put away.
    Why are you happy with
    the way your story ended?
    Are you kidding? This is a romance. (Smiles at Andi.)
    I’m happy to get back to the job I’ve always wanted and to get the girl I’ve always loved.

    About the Writer

    Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest.
    Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t
    gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.
    Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking
    grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began with The
    Cowboy’s Little Surprise and A Rancher of Her Own, and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal
    has just debuted. Additional books in the series will be coming up next year.
    What was your biggest
    challenge in writing this book?
    Mitch himself. He didn’t want to open up to Andi…to the department
    psychiatrist…or to me. The emotional hurdles he had to overcome made it tough
    for me know how to tell his story and resolve his conflicts. I hope I’ve done them
    –and him –justice.
    Why did you choose this
    character for the interview today?
    To prove to him he’s a better man than he thinks he is.
    When writing the book,
    what did you discover about this character that surprised you?
    His heart. He’s tough when he has to be –and as a cop, he often
    has to be. He’s short with people sometimes, but that’s part of his policeman’s
    persona, too. Underneath it all, he’s got every attribute Andi deserves in her hero.
    Are any sequels planned
    for this book?
    This is the third book in The Hitching Post Hotel series. All
    my books are stand-alones, which mean (for me, anyhow), every hero and heroine reaches
    a happy-ever-after in their book. But yes, there are additional books planned. Cowboy in Conflict will be out in July, and
    there will be at least two more books in the series. And you’ll get to see Mitch
    and Andi again.
    What genre(s) would you
    like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
    Romantic suspense…mystery…women’s fiction… There are many
    stories in my head waiting to be told.
    Why should readers who
    haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
    As I said above, this is a stand-alone story, so readers don’t
    need to read the books in order. Mitch is trying to recover from a catastrophe;
    Andi has a traumatic past of her own. Along with these emotional story threads,
    there’s a lighter element to the book. Andi’s elderly grandfather (a recurring character
    in the series) and both their families are matchmaking to bring Mitch and Andi together.
    And there’s also a fake-fiancee agreement that goes horribly wrong.
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your readers?
    Just something they may have heard from me before:
    I’m a life-long reader and book lover, and I hope my stories
    will give my readers as much pleasure as other authors’ books have given me.

    About the Book

    Title The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal
    Genre Contemporary Romance
    Author Barbara White Daille
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
    The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal
    A husband for Christmas?
    Mitch Weston’s back in Cowboy Creek,
    and self-proclaimed matchmaker Jed Garland has his single granddaughter Andi on
    his mind. Mitch is a lawman, good with the little ones and easy on the eyes. He
    and Andi were high school sweethearts, for heaven’s sake! Why can’t they see they’re
    perfect for each other?
    Because Andi already lost one husband
    to a dangerous job, and now she’s all about playing it safe, for her sake and her
    children’s. Being a cop is everything to Mitch. After discovering Jed’s plan, Mitch
    and Andi come up with their own: they’ll pretend to get engaged and then break up
    due to irreconcilable differences. Jed’s got his work cut out for him –because
    this match needs a Christmas miracle!

    Buy This Book

    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Lawmans-Christmas-Proposal-Hitching-Hotel/dp/0373755961
    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lawmans-christmas-proposal-barbara-white-daille/1121775760
    Books-A-Million http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Lawmans-Christmas-Proposal/Barbara-White-Daille/9780373755967
    IndieBound http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780373755967

    Author Social Media

  • Character Sketch,  Contemporary

    Jaine Andersen from Fooling Around With Cinderella by @stacyjuba #RLFblog #chicklit

    Stacy Juba shares details about the creation of Jaine
    Andersen in the book Fooling Around With Cinderella.

    About the Book

    Title Fooling Around With Cinderella
    Genre Chick Lit/Sweet Romance
    Author Stacy Juba
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): PG13
    What happens when the
    glass slippers pinch Cinderella’s toes?
    When Jaine Andersen proposes a new marketing role to the
    local amusement park, general manager Dylan Callahan charms her into filling
    Cinderella’s glass slippers for the summer. Her reign transforms Jaine’s
    ordinary life into chaos that would bewilder a fairy godmother. Secretly dating
    her bad boy boss, running wedding errands for her ungrateful sisters, and
    defending herself from the park’s resident villain means Jaine needs lots more
    than a comfy pair of shoes to restore order in her kingdom. First in the
    Storybook Valley series, a blend of sweet romance, chick lit, and fairy tale
    fun. 

    Introducing Jaine Andersen

    Name: Jaine Andersen
    Age: 25
    Gender: Female
    Birthplace: Catskills of NY
    Profession: Eager marketing coordinator for a theme
    park/temporary and very reluctant Cinderella
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): Human
    Describe his/her body build, skin tone, height and weight.
    Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: Sandy caramel
    hair that can’t decide whether it is brown or blonde, blue eyes, and glasses.
    Slender, but didn’t quite fit into the outfit she wanted to wear on her job
    interview.
    Who is the significant
    other in your character’s life?
    Dylan Callahan
    Tell us about this
    character, please.
    Dylan is the general manager of the Storybook Valley Theme
    Park and recently hired Jaine for a marketing position, and to assist with a
    Cinderella crisis. A former ski instructor, he has a reputation as a bad boy
    heartbreaker. He never showed much interest in his family’s theme park in the
    past, and has a lot to prove. Dylan tries to fight his attraction to Jaine so
    that he can focus on business.
    How does your hero
    dress?
    While working as Cinderella, she wears a ball gown so puffy
    that helium could have inflated it. Gleaming pearls and silver thread embroider
    the rich gold. She also wears a blonde Gibson Girl wig and a tiara.
    How educated is this
    character?
    She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
    What is your
    character’s family like?  
    She has two annoying sisters, twins Bree and Shauna. Bree is
    a high-powered attorney and Bridezilla with an upcoming wedding. Shauna, a
    divorced single mom, relies on Jaine for babysitting. In fact, the twins rely
    on Jaine for all their errands. 
    If someone from your
    character’s past showed up, who would he most NOT want it to be, and why?
    Someone from her past does show up, an old high school rival
    named Gabrielle Allaire. Gabrielle always bested Jaine in high school, whether
    it was getting a higher grade on a test, landing a college scholarship, or
    winning a class office. Now she works in a leadership role at the theme park
    and acts as if she has authority over Jaine. 
    Can your hero keep a
    secret (why or why not)?
    Her biggest secret is that she is helping out as Cinderella
    for a few months, before assuming a full-time marketing position. The park has
    had a string of bad luck with Cinderellas and Dylan is tired of fooling around
    with Cinderella. Jaine’s sisters would make fun of her if they knew so she
    keeps it a secret from her family.  So
    yes, she is extremely good at keeping secrets.
    What inner doubt
    causes your character the most difficulty?  
    She always takes care of everyone else, putting their needs
    before her own. She fears that focusing on her own needs is selfish.
    What is your hero’s biggest
    hopes and dreams?  
    To become marketing director of the theme park and to live
    happily ever after with Dylan.
    What is your hero’s
    breaking point?  
    When she is sabotaged at work, and her reputation is in the
    gutter.
    What is the hardest
    part about playing Cinderella?
    Having kids wipe sticky ice cream hands on my dress,
    teenagers who ask me stupid questions for You Tube videos, and aching feet from
    the glass slippers.
    Who is your closest
    friend at Storybook Valley?
    Krystal, the wardrobe supervisor. Krystal amuses me as she
    also likes to dress up as Red Riding Hood. She wears a Red Riding Hood costume
    to work. Voluntarily.
    What kind of training
    went into playing Cinderella?
    Dylan’s grandmother was obsessed with making me the perfect
    Cinderella. I had to learn to master Cinderella’s signature, practice a proper
    princess wave, get used to always staying in character, and watch Audrey
    Hepburn movies to absorb the regal way she carried herself.

    About Your Writer

    Why do you think your
    writer chose to write about you?  
    She has spent a lot of years writing murder mysteries. They
    are intriguing whodunnits, but I think Stacy felt like writing about something
    more cheerful, hence a theme park Cinderella.
    What do you wish your
    writer had not told others about you?
    I wish she hadn’t mentioned the difficulties of using the
    toilet in a ball gown.
    What other character
    from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?
    I know she is working on a book about Rory, Dylan’s sister,
    who is named Aurora after Sleeping Beauty. I think she should also write about
    my friends Krystal and Tiara, as a start. I also want her to write a short
    story leading up to how Dylan got himself into such a princess problem.
    Why do you think your
    writer loves to write?  
    She has always been on the quiet side, and writing has been
    a way for her to express herself since she was a child. Stacy also loves to
    read – she is obsessed with books.
    Is there anything
    you’d like to say to your writer?  
    I had so much fun appearing in this book and I can’t wait to
    return to Storybook Valley as a supporting character in Prancing Around With
    Sleeping Beauty and the other books in the series.

    Buy This Book

    Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fooling-around-with-cinderella-stacy-juba/1122680940?ean=2940152324976

    Author Bio

    Stacy
    Juba got engaged at Epcot Theme Park and spent part of her honeymoon at
    Disneyland Paris, where she ate a burger, went on fast rides, and threw up on
    the train ride to the hotel. In addition to working on her new Storybook Valley
    chick lit/sweet romance series, Stacy has written books about ice hockey, teen
    psychics, U.S. flag etiquette for kids, and determined women sleuths. She has
    had a novel ranked as #5 in the Nook Store and #30 on the Amazon Kindle Paid
    List. When she’s not visiting theme parks with her family, (avoiding rides that
    spin and exotic hamburgers) Stacy helps writers to strengthen their manuscripts
    through her Crossroads Editing Service. She is also the founder of the Glass
    Slipper Sisters, a group of fifteen authors with Cinderella-themed romance
    novels. She is currently writing the next book in the Storybook Valley Series,
    Prancing Around With Sleeping Beauty.

    Author Social Media

    Website and blog http://stacyjuba.com/blog/               
  • Character Sketch,  Paranormal

    Deven Chandler from His Lost Mate by @kathykulig #RLFblog #PNR

    Kathy Kulig shares details
    about the creation of Deven Chandler in the book His Lost Mate.

    About the Book

    Title: His Lost Mate
    Genre: Paranormal Romance
    Author: Kathy Kulig
    Book heat level (Based on movie ratings): R
    He lost her once hundreds of years ago. Now he must battle a new
    entity. Will he lose her again forever?
    Archaeologist and
    psychic Lauren Halpern embarks on a journey to uncover an ancient mystery in a
    sultry and exotic jungle, but everything is getting in her way. Deven Chandler,
    the drop-dead gorgeous leader of their excavation is a serious distraction she
    does not need, and she’s desperately trying to guard her heart. But the heated
    passion between them is undeniable, and they simply cannot find a way to stop
    the inevitable. Lauren senses the supernatural connection between them holds a
    secret deeper than the hot sex they’re trying to resist. And Deven, the
    scientist that he is, simply won’t believe her esoteric beliefs or warnings.
    Once
    they tumble into a sizzling affair the real trouble begins. From the ancient
    ruins, a ghost of an ancient shaman appears. He lures them deeper to into the
    jungle where lies the deadliest evil of all. When danger arrives, can Deven
    learn to trust her and risk everything to save her?

    Introducing Deven Chandler

    Name: Deven Chandler
    Age: 32
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: Netherlands
    Profession: Archaeologist/Professor
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): Dutch
    Describe his/her body build, skin tone, height and weight.
    Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: Tan, toned,
    muscular build, 6’, rough hands from years of field work excavating
    archaeological ruins.
    Who is the
    significant other in your character’s life?
    Lauren Halpern, a graduate student from another college, is
    doing field work on his excavation for credits towards her degree. There’s an
    instant attraction the moment she arrives. The woman is hot, smart and sexy.
    But he knows he should resist. As a professional, he shouldn’t allow it. There
    are too many complications with the excavation—local authorities, potential
    antiquity thieves, rumors of rebels in the jungle. The safety of the team and
    his project is vital, his love life with a hot student is not priority. And now
    there are a number of strange, unexplained events occurring around the ruins.
    Not to mention his ex-fiancée has decided to join the team this time around,
    and she has her own agenda besides adding to her collection at the museum.
    Tell us about this
    character, please.
    Deven is rugged and sexy. A mix of outdoor adventurer and
    smart professor, a bit like Indiana Jones. Although he was offered a
    prestigious board position at a large museum, he turned it down to continue
    traveling and working his projects in the jungle.
    How does your hero
    dress?
    Archaeologist in the jungle, working on ancient ruins. Jeans or
    khakis, no suits for this man. (unless he’s teaching at the university) He’s
    not afraid to get dirty.
    Does he scrape by,
    live comfortably, live extravagantly?
    He makes a comfortable wage. He works
    at a university in Boston, has a nice condo there and owns a cottage on Cape
    Cod. He’s most happy when he’s traveling and digging in ruins.
    On what special skills
    does your character rely?
    He’s highly skilled at his job, good at working
    with students and negotiating with foreign authorities. He’s all scientist, but
    rugged to the bone, devoted and determined to uncover the mystery surrounding
    his current project. But his flaw is not seeing a supernatural element closing
    in on the ruins.
    What is your
    character’s family like?
    He’s close to his family. His sister is also an
    archaeologist, but more sensitive to the supernatural. She has experienced
    ghosts at the ruins where she has worked. His parents live in the Netherlands.
    They sold their home to provide college educations for their two children. Over
    the years, Deven and his sister helped them purchase a home again.
    If someone from your
    character’s past showed up, who would he most NOT want it to be, and why?

    Sylvia, his ex-fiancée. Of course she decides to show up during this semester.
    He can’t turn her away since her father privately funds most of these projects
    for the college. He’s president of the board of the museum and part of the deal
    is acquiring a collection of artifacts for his museum. Deven has a hunch Sylvia
    has plans to acquire more than artifacts and that makes this trip more of a
    complication than Deven wants to deal with. Especially since things are heating
    up between him and Lauren.  
    What past event
    causes your character the most fear?
    In the jungle of a third-world
    country, anything can happen. Danger can arise, natural and unnatural can
    threaten lives deep in the jungle. Having local authorities shut down his
    project is one fear, but having his team come to harm is another.  Antiquity thieves, paramilitary groups,
    desperate locals, wild life, and more can all be a threat to a secluded
    archaeological dig. But there’s another threat, a supernatural one…
    What is your hero’s
    biggest personal flaw?
    He and Lauren are connected to the jungle in a
    supernatural way that he refuses to acknowledge. His seeing-is-believing,
    analytical mind denies what is obvious. And that could be dangerous for all of
    them on the team.
    What is your hero’s
    breaking point?
    When Lauren goes missing. Can’t say more without a spoiler.

    About Your Writer

    Why do you think your
    writer chose to write about you?
    Kathy is a bit of an adventure herself. She’s traveled a
    bit, explored the Mayan ruins in Tikal, Coba, and Tulum. She spoke to an
    archaeologist (not me), when she decided to write this story. He even gave her
    a Mayan artifact. The ruins must have inspired this story. I’m trying to
    determine what happened to an entire culture that seemed to have vanished
    hundreds of years ago. She asked the question: What if two Mayan lovers who
    lived back then were faced with a tragic life event? Could their love survive
    and they find each other again?
    What do you wish your
    writer had not told others about you?
    Hmmm. I’m devoted to my work, okay, I’m a work-aholic, but
    my job as an archaeologist and professor is important and rewarding. Sometimes
    I’m stubborn and keep blinders on. I guess I need to be more open to the
    esoteric world. I’m not comfortable with that. I’d rather go with facts and figures
    and proven hypotheses.
    What other character
    from your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?
    Perhaps my sister Sarita who’s working on a project in
    Greece. Or the two young guys on the team Kyle and Justin.
    Why do you think your
    writer loves to write?
    An archaeologist likes to uncover treasures and solve
    mysteries. It’s a way we can connect with cultures to the past and better
    understand them.  A writer likes to tell
    stories. The stories have to be told as they come to her, and she must love to
    share them with others. It’s her way of connecting with people from the present
    and also the future.
    Is there anything
    you’d like to say to your writer?  
    Thanks for writing my story and forcing me to face what I
    swore I’d never have to. And for helping me find the woman I was meant to be
    with always—my soul mate, my lover. From one work-aholic to another, get away
    from your desk and work. Have more fun. When you return refreshed, write what
    you’re most passionate about. You’ll always have new stories to share with
    readers and fans.

    Buy This Book

    Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1J4XMrP
    Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1MMOy1b

    Author Bio

    New York Times
    & USA Today bestselling author Kathy Kulig is a writer, a science geek, a part time health food nut, an occasional cat sitter, and an adventure movie junkie. She lives in a 100-year-old Victorian house with her amazingly support hubby who is also a geek and shares her love of traveling. Kathy writes sexy paranormal, contemporary and suspense. Her books can be dark and edgy, passionate and erotically-charged, but there’s always a steamy romance and a happy ending.

    Author Social Media

    Blog: http://www.TheLustyView.com
      
    Amazon Author Page:  http://amazon.com/author/kathykulig   
  • Character Sketch,  Gay or MM

    Gabriel Church – Rubble and the Wreckage @roddclark #RLFblog #MM

    Rodd Clark shares the creation Gabriel Church from the book Rubble
    and the Wreckage.

    About the Book

    Title Rubble and the Wreckage
    Genre M/M Romantic Thriller
    Author Rodd Clark
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Gabriel Church knows you can’t take a life without first understanding
    just how feeble life is, how tentative and weak it stands alone. If you desire murder,
    you hold a life in your hand. Whether you release it to grant life or grip tighter
    to end it, it is at your command and discretion. Gabriel is a serial killer with
    a story he wants told.
    Christian Maxwell studied abnormal psychology in college but
    chose instead to focus on a career in writing. His background comes in handy when
    he thinks of writing about a serial killer. He can’t think of anyone more qualified
    to write the story of Gabriel Lee Church, and do so in the murderer’s own words.
    It’s been done before, but never with a killer who has yet to be captured or convicted.
    There was never anything more than a gentleman’s understanding
    between the two men that Christian would record Gabriel’s life story. The killer
    did not ask for his complicity in any crimes, nor did he ever ask for his silence.
    Christian’s interest in the man, though, is fast becoming something more than academic.
    When the writer and his subject become unexpected friends and then lovers, the question
    remains: What is Gabriel’s endgame . . . and why does he want his story told?

    Introducing Gabriel Church

    Name: Gabriel Church
    Age: 36
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: Kentucky
    Profession: Drifter
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): White
    Describe his/her body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include
    any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars: Toned, strong, big.
    Who is the significant other in your character’s life?
    Christian Maxwell
    Tell us about this character,
    please.
    Educated, attractive erudite man in mid-thirties; closeted gay
    when the story begins but desperate to find someone he trusts who can break the
    confines of his life.
    How does your hero dress?
    Gabriel Church is the anti-hero of the series and dresses rough
    and casual. It is his body that attracts not the denims and flannel and tee-shirts
    he is accustomed to wearing.
    If you could only hear
    this character’s voice (but not see him) what characteristic would identify him?
    Church is a dichotomy because he appears red-neck illiterate
    from the outside, but in truth has his deep profound thoughts and belief-structure.
    His voice is masculine without being wordy, but his control is always sensed and
    displayed by the few sentences he blurts out. His speech illustrates a subtle wisdom
    with a serious knife-like edge, because after-all, he has seen and done it all during
    his lifetime.
    How educated is this character?
    Gabe is street smart but even with his high school education
    he shows he is envious of Christian’s brain and intellect. He considers the man
    an enigma and struggles with the knowledge that his life could have turned out very
    differently had he been given the same chances at a college education. One that
    Christian has taken for granted.
    Is the character book-smart,
    self-taught, widely-experienced?
    Christian as a protagonist is trained and educated with a background
    that gives him the leg-up over his peers, where Church is self-taught and possesses
    than skill of reading people and sizing up his competition.
    Does he scrape by, live
    comfortably, live extravagantly?
    Gabriel survived only by his wits, and in a place where a bed
    with clean sheets is considered a luxury.
    What is your character’s
    viewpoint on wealth?
    Christian Maxwell was raised with financial comfort and due to
    his degree always assumed his life would run according to plan. He is the exact
    opposite of Gabriel Church who has never known wealth and comfort but sees the futility
    in such pursuits, namely because he has seen the others he has killed die without
    fanfare and without their protection of wealth or reputation. The rat-race of others,
    as Church has called it, it something fragile and easily destroyed in his perception.
    He holds no interest in obtaining any financial freedom, nor does he expect to ever
    find it.
    On what special skills
    does your character rely?
    Gabe relies on his ability to read others and spot their weaknesses;
    it may be why he is so fascinated with Chris Maxwell, his polar opposite. Christian
    doesn’t seem to possess that skill at all, and this creates a symbiotic relationship
    of Gabe wanting to protect his lover from the dangers he sees so clearly.
    Are any of his skills
    a source of pride or embarrassment, and if so, which ones and why?
    If you were to ask Church that question in private he would easily
    say it was his ability to fuck, and fuck well. He would smile his twisted grin and
    flash his pearly whites, but in truth the reality was that he considered himself
    a survivor, regardless of the odds. He lives his life without assistance, makes
    no apologies and is very much the man’s man, counts only on his own abilities to
    get from point A to point B.
    What kinds of things does your character always carry (in pockets
    or purse)?
    Church carries only a pocketknife and loose change, rarely more
    than that.
    What is your character’s
    family like?
    Church has a dismal past and walked away from his family long
    ago. Whereas Christian loves his family but doesn’t seem to express pride in them
    or their accomplishments. Both men have slipped from the confines of family, but
    for very different reasons and with very different outcomes.
    Is he close to family?
    Christian is close to his family, but can go weeks without speaking
    to them. Church has not spoken to anyone in his family since he left as a young
    adult. But for him in particular, the ghosts of his childhood haunt him more regularly
    than he would care to admit.
    Does he have children?
    No.
    Is your character involved
    in his community?
    No.
    How well does he know
    the neighbors?
    Not really an option for a man on the run from the law.
    Does this character see
    morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
    Church can only see in shades of gray. His beliefs seem rigid
    and morally unyielding, but he is plagued by every decision he makes. Those decisions
    become questionable only after meeting someone new that he forms a connection with,
    though he can’t fully fathom that at the time.

    About Your Writer

    Why do you think your
    writer chose to write about you?
    “I think he likes the bad boys more than he’s willing to
    admit.”
    What do you wish your
    writer had not told others about you?
    “I wanted my story told, but he gave too much away, I don’t
    like that others can see all the shit I’ve done, particularly fucking a man.”
    What other character from
    your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?
    “My sister, he didn’t spend much time on her story, but
    then again I think he believed it might make me sad, but he’d be wrong.”
    Why do you think your
    writer loves to write?
    “I have a story, good as any others I suppose…”
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your writer?
    “Yeah, time to back the fuck off me. Write about someone
    else for a change!”

    Buy This Book

    Publisher: Driven Press / http://www.drivenpress.net/
    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rubble-Wreckage-Gabriel-Church-Tale-ebook/dp/B00T0SC02Y/
    Barnes and Noble: http://barnesandnoble.com/w/rubble-and-the-wreckage-rodd-clark/1121156429?ean=9781925296037
    Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/rubble-and-the-wreckage
    Createspace: http://www.amazon.com/Rubble-Wreckage-Rodd-Clark/dp/1925296032/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1422910009

    Author Bio

    Rodd lives in Dallas, TX at the moment but hails from the sticks
    of Oklahoma. Interested in the M/M Mystery, Romance and Thriller genres but has
    a varied interest in many good books. His books have a darkly distinctive voice
    and deep characterizations. His latest work is the Erotic Romance Thriller “Rubble
    and the Wreckage” and he is currently working on the sequel which he hopes
    to have released in 2015.

    Author Social Media

    Website: http://www.roddclark.com/
  • Character Sketch,  Suspense

    Character Sketch: Chayton Chambers from Fatal Snag @angelaswriter #RLFblog #suspense

    Fatal Snag 

    About the Book

    Title Fatal Snag
    Genre Roman

    tic Suspense

    Author Angela Smith
    Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
    Hollywood fashion consultant Naomi Fisher is happy to use her
    obsessive-compulsive planning to assist with her cousin’s wedding, but her history
    with the sexy and sullen Chayton Chambers, the groom’s brother, terrifies her. When
    the groom is kidnapped at his own wedding, Chayton and Naomi rush to find an important
    relic to satisfy the ransom before her cousin becomes a widow before a bride. Naomi
    trades garters for guns as survival, and love becomes a deadly game impossible to
    resist.

    Buy This Book

    Publisher http://www.crimsonromance.com/upcoming-releases-romance-ebook/fatal-snag/
    Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Crimson-Romance-Angela-Smith-ebook/dp/B00IPSCM3W/ref=la_B00DYBSIMY_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393936183&sr=1-2
    iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/fatal-snag/id830854015?mt=11

    About the Character

    Name: Chayton Chambers
    Age: 32
    Gender: Male
    Birthplace: Tanyon,
    Montana
    Profession: Owner and Bartender of Air Dog
    Ethnicity/Species (if not human): Caucasian with ¼ Sioux
    Describe his/her body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include
    any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars:
    6′, 190 pounds, dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, a splash of
    freckles across his nose
    Who is the significant other in your character’s life?
    Naomi Fisher, (only later)
    How does your hero dress?
    You’ll often find Chayton in a pair of ripped up jeans and a
    button-down shirt, or a raunchy t-shirt
    What are the qualities
    of his voice? (pitch, quality, volume)
    Deep; has been labeled as a raspy roar or “soft and sweet
    with a crust of thorns”
    What does he have a knack
    for doing?
    Chayton can make a mean drink, but he loves to be outside, on
    the slopes, and he makes everyone feel welcome (well, everyone except Naomi).
    What is your character’s
    family like?
    Chayton’s brother, Garret, is a former special agent and recently
    engaged. His father and mother—the one he always knew as his mom—are dead. Most of his family consists of friends and members
    of the community.
    Does this character see
    morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
    Chayton sees things in black-and-white. He has been described
    as an honest and charming rebel. He may seem shallow, but he’s very deep inside.
    If someone from your character’s
    past showed up, who would he most want it to be, and why? OR who would he most NOT
    want it to be, and why?
    He would not want it to be his birth mother, because she gave
    him up when he was eighteen months and he has no use for her.
    What inner doubt causes
    your character the most difficulty?
    The fear of abandonment.
    What past event causes
    your character the most fear?
    Being abandoned.
    What is your hero’s biggest
    personal flaw?
    His hostility toward Naomi. One of the most calm and relaxed
    people yet shocks others when he flares up for reasons beyond comprehension. He’s
    not too opinionated but hates his opinion to be challenged.

    About Your Writer: Questions for your character to answer about you.

    Why do you think your
    writer chose to write about you?
    Well hell, probably because I’m irresistible.
    What do you wish your
    writer had not told others about you?
    Shrugs. It’s all under
    the bridge now.
    Was there anything your
    writer discovered about you that was a surprise to one or both of you?
    Yeah. My sister was a surprise to us both.
    When your writer is writing
    about you, what do you think makes your writer the most happy? What makes your writer
    the most sad?
    I know she gets sad when I go silent.
    Why do you think your
    writer loves to write?
    Because she gets to write about characters like me.
    Is there anything you’d
    like to say to your writer?
    Uh, thanks for telling my story. And thanks for helping me not
    to get my ass killed when I made some stupid decisions.

    Author Bio

    Angela Smith
    During her senior year in high school, Angela Smith was dubbed
    most likely to write a novel, and that has been her dream ever since her mother
    read Brer Rabbit to her and her sister so often that they were able to recite it
    back to each other before actually learning to read. She’s always enjoyed stories
    about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed her
    love of suspense. A certified paralegal, work gives her perfect fodder for her romantic
    suspense stories. When not caring for her small farm or spending time with her husband
    of two decades, she enjoys creating, reading, and dreaming of the places she’ll
    visit one day.

    Author Social Media