Characters in Love: Jeffrey Sinclair from The Sin Factor

Welcome to Unwritten's 

February Blog Series

 Characters in Love! 

Each day will feature a different fictional character from various books and genres, and a personal interview about their love lives. It's sure to be enlightening, and if you find yourself dying to know more about them, pick up a copy of the the book! 

Our series comes to a close today with Jeffrey Sinclair from 'The Sin Factor':

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi, my name is Jeffrey Sinclair. I’m a self-made man – or what I call a rags to riches kind of guy. Little league baseball and Boy Scouts weren’t part of my childhood. Street gangs and violence were. I’m proud to say I’m now CEO of a very lucrative electronics company that I started and got my best buddies who I grew up with to partner with me.

2. How/where did you first meet your love interest?

 I met Avery in Arlington National Cemetery when I knocked her to the ground in order to protect her from flying bullets.

3. Was it love (or attraction) at first sight? 

Oh, yeah. She was special from the get-go, even though she was suspect number one and that’s why I was watching her. I knew she had information leading to my stolen property. Right from the beginning when our gazes locked, I was sucked into her lure.

4. When did you know for certain that you were in love? 

After someone tried to drug and kidnap her from a department store in broad daylight.

5. Have you done anything to compromise your love (or vice versa)? 

Yeah. Me and my big mouth blurted out an accusation that almost ended our relationship before it started. I can’t really talk about it, or it will spoil the book.

6. Has anyone ever come between you? 

Other than her dead husband? No. But early on, my partners were all gaga over her, which incited instant jealousy on my part. That was when I knew I was in big trouble. I had already fallen for her. It just took me a while to admit it to myself.

7. If you could take your lover on the perfect date, where would that be?

 I’d take her to the roof-top of my building where a quartet would play in the background and dinner with a full wait staff would attend to a candlelight five-course meal. The lights of Washington DC make a perfect romantic backdrop. Avery is a woman who deserves to be wined and dined before a night of lovemaking. Apparently, her dead husband was a bit of loser in that respect.

8. Is there anything your lover does that completely annoys you?

 It’s too early in our relationship for me to take anything she does as annoying. Talk to me in a year or so and I’m sure I’ll have a better answer.

9. What's the biggest challenge you've faced together as a couple? 

Having to deal with the jealousy I felt towards her dead husband. He was the perfect hero and I’m anything but.

10. Is there a happily ever after in store for you? 

I hope so, but I don’t have a crystal ball. All I can say is, I’m giving love a chance.

Discover more of Jeffrey and Avery's love story in "The Sin Factor" by Sandy Loyd:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/SJvBlx 

Nook - http://bit.ly/13szX6p   

Apple – http://bit.ly/1o8uDwh

Tomorrow's the Last Day...

 To get A Ranger's Tale (Book #1 in the Tallenmere series) on Amazon Kindle for $0.99.

Here's an exclusive excerpt from A Ranger's Tale, along with the song that inspired the scene:

Caliphany, having fled home and a forced marriage, stowed away on Galadin's ship. She begged him to take her to the faerie city of Faewood and leave her there so she could be free. He did as she asked, but as he sailed away, he knew he just couldn't do it. Luckily, Galadin found Caliphany in one piece. The two of them managed to avoid being captured by the royal guard while hunting and exploring the Eastwood Mountains. After a dangerous, but thrilling experience fending off a horde of goblins (and their first kiss), Galadin decided to treat Caliphany to a relaxing evening for a change. The song above helped me envision this scene as the two of them danced, growing ever closer with their own rhythm of love:

Excerpt from Ch. 18:

Caliphany

Back in Faewood, we concealed ourselves and were relieved to see no evidence of the royal guard. Galadin led us to an inn off the main thoroughfare—a quaint, but busy place with a tavern on the first floor. I still wore my disguise of dark red hair, and my hunting leathers. We paid for our room, which was small, but thankfully had a screen in front of the bathing area.

I bathed first, and Galadin left the room. When he came back, he draped some clothes over the screen. I dried myself and examined the garments. He had found a long-sleeve white cotton blouse, a white silk chemise, and a pale blue, long, flowing skirt.

“Where did you get these?” I asked, pulling the skirt on.

“I borrowed them.”

“No more stealing things,” I said, stepping around the screen.

My breath caught. He had taken off his boots and shirt. I gazed at his tanned chest, the muscles rippling underneath. He was eyeing the bite wound on his arm.

“It’s not so bad.” He noticed me looking at him, and pointed toward the bath. “I’ll just…be a minute.”

He hurried around the screen. I smiled and let down my hair to brush it out. With my dark red color, I felt like a different person. Or maybe it was Galadin. I was changing, coming to an understanding of who I really was inside. If only I knew the danger had subsided, and Galadin and I could truly be free. I set the brush down. But, if we were free, would he even want me?

Downstairs, in the tavern, we ate a delicious meal of roasted chicken, potatoes, and wild rice. We sat at a corner table, where the music and chatter all around us afforded a chaotic anonymity. Galadin wore a white shirt, with tight cuffs and generous sleeves, loosely laced at his collarbone. His tawny hair was clean, but unruly as ever.

He spoke above the tavern’s roar. “So, you’ve never seen Tilliya Island?”

I shook my head.

“I think it’s time I show you.”

“You don’t have a ship,” I shouted.

“I know where I can get one.”

“No stealing!”

Galadin drew an invisible “x” over his chest. “Cross my heart.”

When the waiter came by, I ordered Draeberry wine. Galadin raised an incredulous brow.

“Same for me,” he said, and the faery waiter flew back to the bar. He looked at me with a one-sided smile. “One glass of that, and I’ll be having my way with you.”

The waiter returned. I wrapped my fingers around the cold glass. “Oh? I doubt that.”

Five glasses later, we were dancing. A visiting gypsy band played. Their tambourines, bongo drums, and fiddles surrounded us with sultry melodies. The music animated our bodies, drifted around us in a seductive, rhythmic embrace. Galadin clasped my body against his. We shimmied and swayed—so different from the ballroom dancing to which I was accustomed. His hearty laughter was as intoxicating as the wine. I never wanted this night to end. In his arms, I was free to be me, to let down my guard and allow my heart to soar. Galadin had made me believe in myself, and if we never shared another night like this, I would always be grateful to him for that.

Among the crowd of strangers, no one cared that we danced like lovers. My breasts pressed into his chest. I gripped his back, and we swished as one being into the rising tempo. When my leg traveled up his thigh, he gripped my knee and I let my shoulders and head fall back away from him. He swung me in a half circle and then pulled me up again. Our faces were so close; his hot breath caressed my lips. I kissed him wildly, and he stumbled.

When I pulled back, he said, “Gawd, you’re beautiful. Jesh quit beatin’ around the bush and shtay with me tonight.”

I sighed and shook my head. “Sure. Let me help you to the room.”

With his arm around my shoulders, I led him upstairs. I helped him sit on the bed and took off his shirt. His eyes blinked one at a time, and he sank back on the bed. I pulled his legs onto the bed to make him comfortable.

He mumbled, “Cali, you’re so…I…” Then he closed his eyes and became oblivious to the world.

“I know,” I whispered. “I love you too.”

****

Wondering what happens next? Will Galadin finally sober up and admit his love for Cali? Or will something (or someone) else tear them apart before he has the chance? Pick up your copy of A Ranger’s Tale to find out. It’s just $0.99 until TOMORROW (2/28/14) on Amazon Kindle!!

Characters in Love: Samantha from The Goddess's Choice

Welcome to Unwritten's 

February Blog Series

 Characters in Love! 

Each day will feature a different fictional character from various books and genres, and a personal interview about their love lives. It's sure to be enlightening, and if you find yourself dying to know more about them, pick up a copy of the the book! 

Today, let's welcome Samantha from The Goddess's Choice:

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Samantha, and I’m the seventeen-year-old heir to the throne of Korthlundia. Since my father, the king, is eighty-nine, I suppose I’ll have to take over pretty soon. I don’t know what I’ll do without him. My father and I have always been close—maybe because it’s always been just the two of us. My mother died in childbirth. Because I am his only heir, my father raised me more like a son than a daughter. He insisted I start weapons training as soon as I was old enough to hold a sword, and I’m more skilled than at least half the Royal Guard—or so I’m told. I’m most at home on horseback, and I don’t give a fig for fashion and gossip. I’m on the short side, and my chest is flatter than I’d like it, but you can’t have everything, even if you are a princess. I have freckles on my nose that I’m rather fond of, even if they aren’t fashionable.

2. How/where did you first meet your love interest?

I met him at a horse fair. I sneaked out of the palace with my father’s Master of the Horse to go to the Coan Valley Horse Fair so that I could get a decent horse. My father insists I ride a tame lady’s mare, which is no fun. When I first saw the exotic peasant boy with dark skin and green eyes, I felt my heart flutter. I had to find out more. He liked horses as much as I do, and as impossible as it seems, he rides a Horsetad; no one has tamed a Horsetad in over 1000 years. I knew then that he had to have magical power. He helped me pick out the perfect horse, and we danced together, despite the fact that he was terrible at it, and I didn’t know the dances. I never had as much fun with anybody in my life.

3. Was it love (or attraction) at first sight?

Definitely. Robbie is both the most attractive and most interesting man I’ve ever met.

4. When did you know for certain that you were in love?

That night I met him when I returned to the palace, I couldn’t stop thinking of him, and he filled my dreams. Of course, the heir to the throne could not marry a peasant boy, but if I could marry for love, I knew that first night that Robbie was the man I wanted.

5. Have you done anything to compromise your love (or vice versa)?

Well, I did get betrothed to another man. I had to. Since my father’s so old, he was pressuring me to marry. He thinks I need a consort to rule beside me. Some people aren’t happy with the idea of a female ruler. Fortunately, I found out Argblutal’s character before we were married, but it was a close thing.

6. Has anyone ever come between you?

Only the entire joined kingdoms. Everyone knows that a princess can’t marry a peasant even if he is a sorcerer. My father hinted that I could maybe take Robbie as a lover, but I need to marry someone with noble blood.

8. Is there anything your lover does that completely annoys you?

Calls himself a demon. For some reason, he was convinced that his powers come from the seven hells instead of from the goddess, but I knew better.

9. What's the biggest challenge you've faced together as a couple?

Defeating the man that murdered my father and attempted to usurp my throne.

10. Is there a happily ever after in store for you?

I certainly hope so. Maybe a peasant sorcerer can marry a princess if he helps save her throne.

 Want to know if Samantha and Robbie get their ever after? Read The Goddess's Choice by Jamie Marchant to find out:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Goddesss-Choice-Jamie-Marchant/dp/1936519127/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1351963793&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-goddesss-choice-jamie-marchant/1110185060?ean=9781936519125

Reliquary Press: http://www.reliquarypress.com/Reliquary_Press/Welcome.html

Characters in Love: Hope Kilpatrick from Finding Hope in Texas

Welcome to Unwritten's 

February Blog Series

 Characters in Love! 

Each day will feature a different fictional character from various books and genres, and a personal interview about their love lives. It's sure to be enlightening, and if you find yourself dying to know more about them, pick up a copy of the the book! 

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

            Well, my name is Hope Kilpatrick.  I live in Texas now after moving from New York.  I wasn’t sure it was the right decision to make, you know, to move down here, but I had to get away from the memories of my family.  That’s what brought me here and that’s where I met Jason.

2. How/where did you first meet your love interest?

            We met at a parade in Ft. Worth.  Our mutual friend introduced us and I was nervous anyway.  Long story short, I fell into his arms at a restaurant.  Yes, I’m being literal.  But he caught me and has been holding me ever since.

3. Was it love (or attraction) at first sight?

            I would say attraction.  Yes, I know, I’m just a silly teenager, but Jason is devastatingly handsome.  His eyes are the kind you can get lost in.  He’s got that rebellious, James Dean, look to him, except with short hair, but he does have a motorcycle.  Pretty much everything your mother would warn you about.

4. When did you know for certain that you were in love?

            Oddly enough, it might have been as early as our third meeting.  We both went to a Civil War reenactment and in the middle of the night told each other about ourselves.  He heard my depressing story about why I was in Texas and I heard his about being in the war.  At one moment I remember crying for both of us, and the next he was there, beside me, holding me, making me feel alive again for the first time.  I’ve had that feeling ever since.

5. Have you done anything to compromise your love (or vice versa)?

            Not yet and I can only hope not too.  The only time he was ever miffed at me was when I bought

him a gift.  It wasn’t much, but, he wouldn’t accept it.  He turned the whole incident around on me though, telling me that I already had him and didn’t have to buy him anything.  It was sweet.

6. Has anyone ever come between you?

            No. No one ever has.  I hope they never do.  What we have is amazing.

7. If you could take your lover on the perfect date, where would that be?

           

            Oh, well, for him it might be a Civil War reenactment.  For me, well, maybe just a park with the whole picnic basket, blanket and staring at the clouds as they go by as long as we were close to each other. 

8. Is there anything your lover does that completely annoys you?

            No, not yet anyway.  But you might need to ask him that question.

9. What's the biggest challenge you've faced together as a couple?

            Our pasts … He, well, he went to war, lived through the carnage.  Before that, back in high school, he had a tough life as well.  For me, it was the loss of my family, the move to Texas and away from what I knew.  But everyone has a past, right?  I mean, some days we dwell on it and the other one has to pull us back, so we are there for each other, always.

10. Is there a happily ever after in store for you?

           

            I can only hope so.  Jason is my rock.  He is the world to me.  I hope he can see me in his life fifty or sixty years down the road, you know, that old couple sitting in their front porch swing together, still madly in love after all those years.  I need that with Jason and I hope he needs that from me as well.

 You can read more about Hope and Jason in 'Finding Hope in Texas' by Ryan T. Petty, 

coming this April!

Gone Too Soon: Charlotte Dawson

Australian model, TV personality, and author Charlotte Dawson committed suicide just a few days ago. This article appeared in Australia's Eastern Tribune over the weekend:

Tragic and saddening as this news is, it's even more tragic knowing that cyber-bullying likely contributed to Charlotte's death.

Most people in the general public see cyber-bullying as a problem among middle-schoolers and teens. Some aren't even aware the problem exists. After all, the term cyber-bullying is still being integrated into our collective conscience as online media continues to evolve and grow. Surprised as people may be to discover it's a problem at all, they may be just as surprised to learn that adults are participating in behavior that's just as destructive. And it has to stop.

We need to raise awareness of this issue to protect more internet-users from suffering at the hands of these individuals. We need to press all social media sites where the problem occurs to act instead of ignoring the problem. Better privacy controls and moderation need to be implemented. Facebook has taken some good measures with privacy controls and ability to block and report abuse. Some of these features are also available on other social networking sites, but when reports of abuse go unheeded, the bullies continue to have free reign to harass and humiliate at their will.

We as the consumers and contributors to these websites have to speak out. When you see this behavior (whether directed at you or anyone else), please DO NOT engage with these abusers, but do not ignore it. Report them to site moderators and staff. Use every means you can in terms of blocking, tightening privacy controls, etc to keep yourself safe. Warn others about the problem so they can also take action. Contact the people in charge of these websites and demand they take action.

While anyone can become the target of cyber-bullies, authors are frequent victims. If you're an author or aspiring author, PLEASE READ this article by Anne R. Allen entitled  'The Laws of the Cyberian Jungle' . She offers some really smart tips in order to keep yourself safe in the shark-infested waters of the internet.

Whether you're an author or not, please stay safe online and watch each others' backs. Let's do what we can to help prevent more tragedies like these in the future.

Characters in Love: Juniper Sawfeather from Cry of the Sea

Welcome to Unwritten's 

February Blog Series

 Characters in Love! 

Each day will feature a different fictional character from various books and genres, and a personal interview about their love lives. It's sure to be enlightening, and if you find yourself dying to know more about them, pick up a copy of the the book! 

Today, let's welcome Juniper Sawfeather from Cry of the Sea:

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Juniper Sawfeather. Everybody calls me June.  I’m 17 and a senior in high school in Olympia, WA. My parents are kind of famous environmental activists, and that has made me pretty unpopular. I’m proud of them, but I am hoping after high school to get as far away from them as possible.

2. How/where did you first meet your love interest?

I met Carter on the same morning I found the three mermaids dying on the beach during the oil spill. My dad and I were at the beach to document the oil spill.  When we brought the mermaids to the nearest Sea Mammal Rescue Center, Carter was the one who let us in. He’s just an intern there, because he’s a Freshman at Washington University.

3. Was it love (or attraction) at first sight?

I looked horrible when I first met him, so I’m pretty sure it was a “no” for him. There was an emergency going on, so when I first met him I was kind of a jerk because I wanted Dr. Schneider to be at the center not this inexperienced “kid”.  He wound up being super helpful, though, and he was nice to me. Once things calmed down, I couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was.  He was also really well spoken, smart, and not inexperienced at all.

4. When did you know for certain that you were in love?

 It took me awhile because we were so caught up in trying to help the mermaids. I think when I was blabbering on about wanting to leave Washington after I graduated and he seemed really disappointed that I wanted to do that, that’s when I realized he might have feelings for me, and that I might have feelings for him too.

5. Have you done anything to compromise your love (or vice versa)? 

Well, I’m in high school and he’s not. I’m also pretty hot-tempered, and he’s cool as a bean.  I might have said some stupid things that turned him off or made him think I was too immature for him.

6. Has anyone ever come between you? 

Just the situation. He doesn’t like my high school friends and thinks they are annoying. The pressure from my parents about what to do about the mermaids and the oil spill caused us to have a pretty bad argument and we didn’t talk for a day or two.

7. If you could take your lover on the perfect date, where would that be?

Gosh, I think it might have to be scuba diving. Our little moment in the tank with our scuba gear on, helping to get the oil off the mermaid was so exciting. I’d love to go somewhere with him like the Australian Coral Reefs and really swim around with him and then relax on a bright, sunny, hot beach afterward.

8. Is there anything your lover does that completely annoys you?

It’s funny to call him a lover, because we’re just starting out and all. I think I annoy him more than the other way around.  His great adoration for my father gets on my nerves though.  It’s hard to complain about how your dad is driving you crazy when your boyfriend thinks your dad is his hero.

9. What's the biggest challenge you've faced together as a couple? 

Our whole relationship so far has been about trying to rescue the mermaids. I’m kind of curious as to what will happen to us when life is sort of normal.  Will it work or do we need the drama?

10. Is there a happily ever after in store for you?

Oh, I hope so. I think if it works out, I might decide to stay in Washington after all. It’s looking good.

Read all about June, Carter, and the mermaids they set out to rescue in Cry of the Sea by D.G. Driver, just released TODAY!!! 

www.fireandiceya.com/authors/dgdriver/crysea.html

Characters in Love: Kaylob from Seasons of Love and War

Welcome to Unwritten's 

February Blog Series

 Characters in Love! 

Each day will feature a different fictional character from various books and genres, and a personal interview about their love lives. It's sure to be enlightening, and if you find yourself dying to know more about them, pick up a copy of the the book! 

1. Please tell us a little about yourself. 

My name is Kaylob Shawn O’Brien and I was born in Novato California in 1950.

2. How/where did you first meet your love interest? 

I was fourteen years old when she climbed off the greyhound bus coming from Salem Oregon. I didn’t meet her until later that day when she was peeking in the windows at the old train station. I had to get to know her so I introduced myself.

3. Was it love (or attraction) at first sight? 

We were kids but I knew she made my heart beat harder than any girl ever. Her red hair, her shy personality, won me over and I actually knew someday she’d be my wife. I actually told her that while we stood on the tracks eating peanut butter cups. She almost ran away.

4. When did you know for certain that you were in love? 

The first time we kissed and I saw our future in her eyes.  I knew there would never be anyone who had me like she did. It was like two old souls coming together. Like a twin flame connection.

5. Have you done anything to compromise your love (or vice versa)?

I did. When Beth Ann turned eighteen we moved to Riverside California because she wanted to be a Broadway star and I wanted to be a chef. Beth Ann had been accepted into the Lakeside school of performing arts. Sadly my dream was put on hold because I was drafted into the Army and left for the Vietnam War. That was hard enough but then I signed up for a second tour without talking it over with her. She was a very unhappy young lady and I know now I should have talked it over with her because we were engaged.

6. Has anyone ever come between you? 

Someone has tried and I will just say I was missing and presumed dead and yes, an old school friend of hers made his moves. He was rich, powerful and some might say good-looking. His name is Blake Tanner and he had been trying to make her his girl since we were all kids.

7. If you could take your lover on the perfect date, where would that be? 

The perfect date for us would be the redwoods in Trinidad California, where the ocean and the redwood trees join together in harmony and love. Having a picnic on a private beach or a place amongst the giant trees is very romantic.

8. Is there anything your lover does that completely annoys you? 

I guess I would have to say she putters  and rambles when she’s nervous. I always know something has happen that I’m not going to like.

9. What's the biggest challenge you've faced together as a couple? 

Book two- but I will say the Vietnam War took its toll on me. I lost my best friend who died in my arms and going from war to love is never easy. It can change a man and make him act in ways that are completely out of character.

10. Is there a happily ever after in store for you?  

You bet there is. Just stay tuned. 

Will Kaylob and Beth Ann survive the separation and horrors of the Vietnam War? Seasons of Love and War by Brenda Ashworth Barry will be coming very soon from Melange Books: http://www.melange-books.com/coming.html