Tag Archives: character interview

Guest Post: Interview with Brock Daniels, Hero

Brock Daniels is the hero of HL Wegley’s new political thriller, Voice in the Wilderness. Here’s an interview that’s not in the novel, but it could easily have happened “off-stage.”

Background: A reporter is sent to interview Brock Daniels, after he clears customs at LAX. He’s returning from a mission trip to Guatemala, where he encountered Ebola in a place the disease has never been seen. Though cleared to travel, the media’s reporting that Brock might have been exposed.

REPORTER: Mr. Brock Daniels?

BROCK: Yes, ma’am. Who’s asking?

REPORTER: I’m a reporter for a local newspaper. May I have a few minutes of your time?

BROCK: This is LAX. What you mean by a local newspaper?

REPORTER: I work for the LA Times. Do you have a few minutes?

BROCK: I’ve got more than a few minutes. We just missed our flight due to spending eight hours being poked, prodded, and interrogated.

REPORTER: That’s one of the things I wanted to ask you about. We heard that the W.H.O. was here talking to you. Is it true that you were exposed to Ebola in Guatemala?

BROCK: Bad news travels fast. But we don’t know that we were exposed to Ebola.

REPORTER: We? Does that include the young lady with you?

BROCK: Yes. This is Julia Weiss.

REPORTER: So are you two a couple?

BROCK: I, uh …

JULIA: Brock, I think I’ll excuse myself and let you talk to this nice lady.

BROCK: Thanks, Julia … I think.

REPORTER: Okay, Mr. Daniels. What were you doing in Guatemala that exposed you to Ebola?

BROCK: Like I said, we don’t know if we were exposed. Four adults from my church were chaperoning a team of high schoolers on a short-term mission project helping people in a remote village. One of the young girls in the village became very sick. I had heard Ebola symptoms described by missionaries who had seen the disease in Africa. There’s never been a case of Ebola in Central America, but I was suspicious. So, we found medical help and a doctor confirmed that she had Ebola.

REPORTER: How many people got sick?

BROCK: As far as I know, just the one girl. Look, I’ve been up for twenty-four hours, and I’m really tired. I’ll answer a few more questions for you, unless I don’t like where the questions are going.

REPORTER: Fair enough. Didn’t you plan to pitch in the major leagues? Someone said they clocked your fastball as high as 105 miles-per-hour.

BROCK: Someone has a big mouth. Things change. So do plans.

REPORTER: They sure do. Now you have quite a reputation as a blogger. What do you write about?

BROCK: I write about the truth—truth in morality and ethics, in theology, history, philosophy, and religion. And I write about the state, what it should and should not be doing. Every few weeks I make a prediction about what will happen in the USA, based upon recent events and trends. Those posts tend to go viral.

REPORTER: How many people does your blog reach?

BROCK: Over a million.

REPORTER: My, oh my. A million followers? I understand that your posts are heavily critical of President Hannan.

BROCK: He’s certainly given the citizens of the United States plenty of reasons to criticize him. He violates the Constitution at every turn, using policies in the agencies and departments, coupled with executive orders. He’s emasculating our military and bankrupting the nation. Now, he’s prosecuting people of faith for simply living out their beliefs as they’ve always done in America. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

REPORTER: It sounds like you have it in for the president.

BROCK: Ma’am … I think he has it in for us, the citizens. And, especially, for me.

REPORTER: Some people call Brock Daniels a prophet, the voice crying in the wilderness. What do you say to—

BROCK: I can’t control what people say about me. But the truth is, I’m just a struggling writer who’s a bit of a Christian apologist.

REPORTER: Changing the subject. You never did tell me … are you and Ms. Weiss a couple?

BROCK: No. Julia’s a wonderful woman, but not for me.

REPORTER: So is there a special woman in Brock Daniels’ life?

BROCK: I don’t know. I thought there was. But she’s been away for a long time.

REPORTER: Can you give us a clue who you’re talking about?

BROCK: She’s going through some pretty tough times. Her mother and her father, a US senator, were killed in a plane crash a while ago.

REPORTER: The daughter of a dead US senator … you must be talking about Katheryn Banning?

BROCK: Yeah. KC and I have known each other since we were kids. We were pretty close growing up, then … well, things happened. Her father moved the family to DC and, after he intentionally split us up, we haven’t gotten back together.

REPORTER: You don’t sound very happy about that. Were you two—

BROCK: Now, I don’t like where your questions are going. Are you sure that someone in the Hannan Administration didn’t put you up to this? Probing into the life of Abe Hannan’s public enemy number one, Brock Daniels?

REPORTER: Well, actually … uh—

BROCK: That’s what I thought. How much is he paying you? Am I next on his hit list?

REPORTER: Silence

BROCK: Okay. Tell you what … since you’re so interested in my love life, maybe you’d like me to kiss you. I hear it’s a really fun way to spread Ebola. Hey, Ms. LA Times! There’s no need to leave. I think I feel a coughing fit coming on.

===

What if your blog could save the nation, but posting to it might cost your life?

Two extraordinary people …

Voice in the Wilderness, by HL Wegley

As catastrophes drive the US into martial law, all eyes are on America, waiting to see what emerges. KC Banning, network specialist, discovers President Hannan’s tyrannical plans and is branded a terrorist, sending her fleeing the Beltway to find her childhood soulmate and protector, Brock Daniels. Brock, a writer and man of faith, gives CPR to a dying nation through his blog, which is read by military members still loyal to the Constitution. But starting a grassroots insurgency while reconciling KC’s and Brock’s broken relationship proves difficult. When Hannan sends Special Forces to kill Brock and KC, starting a war in the Central Oregon desert, reconciliation, like staying alive, might be impossible.

born for a time such as this.

Set in Washington DC and near Crooked River Ranch in the Central Oregon desert, Voice in the Wilderness, Book 1 of the Against All Enemies Series, is a political thriller, with romance, about two people who must decide if they’re willing to sacrifice their lives to prevent the USA from becoming the Dystopian States of America.

H L Wegley

H. L. Wegley served as an Air Force Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In civilian life, he worked as a research scientist, publishing in the scientific literature, then developed Boeing computing systems for 20 years before he and his wife of 50 years retired near Seattle. He is a multi-published author with a 4-book inspirational thriller series, 2 nonfiction books, and 4 more novels on the way.

Link to the author’s website: hlwegley.com

Without Proof: Meet Aunt Bay

"Make the most of every day. Sabotage or not, the plane crash taught us how quickly life can end." ~Aunt Bay, in Without Proof

My editorial assistant (and son), Matthew Sketchley, joins us again today for a conversation with Beatrice Rockland (Aunt Bay) from Without Proof. Matthew blogs at Probably Nothing Interesting.

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew: We’ve got Beatrice Rockland here, from Without Proof. Beatrice, would you mind telling us a little about yourself?

Aunt Bay: To get us off to a better start, my name is pronounced BAY-a-triss, not the conventional BE-a-triss. If that’s too much of a challenge, you may call me Miss Rockland. I’m Michael’s great aunt, a retired teacher, and active in a variety of volunteer roles. Michael’s parents moved frequently in his youth, so he came to live with me for his high school and college years. When I bought a condo in Halifax, he turned my old house into his art gallery and studio area.

Matthew: And you recently moved back to live with him and Amy, right? What’s it like living in an art gallery?

Aunt Bay: After the plane crash that killed Gilles, Amy needed a place to live while her injuries healed. Gilles’ parents, for reasons known only to themselves, cancelled the lease on his condo while she was still in the hospital. The poor girl had nowhere to go, and she needed to commute to her appointments. Michael has a caring heart and a huge house, so inviting Amy to stay with him was natural. I moved in as well to help.

I wondered about customer traffic in the house, but our bedrooms are upstairs with Michael’s studio. The gallery’s on one end of the main floor, with a separate entrance, and it’s only active during tourist season. It’s actually quite convenient. We can be in the main part of the house, and if a customer comes, we hear the door chime. Nobody has to stay on duty all day if there are no visitors. Of course it’s Michael’s work, and Amy is his assistant, so I’m rarely involved in the business end of things. He does beautiful work, though, if you’d like to buy a painting.

Matthew: I may have to take a look later. My first concern about living in a gallery would have been customer traffic too, but that actually sounds quite nice. How do you feel about having moved in to help take care of Amy? Has it affected your daily life much?

Aunt Bay: We’re on St. Margaret’s Bay, near Peggy’s Cove, and I always loved living here, but truthfully, I do miss living in the city. Especially now that I’m becoming less confident driving after dark. I’m in my seventies, you know. But I do like to drive, so during the day it’s not an issue. I’m on the go a lot.

Of course, Amy doesn’t need care anymore. She’s fully recovered physically, and she seems to be healing from her loss. She’s a fine young woman. Now that she’s working with Michael, it makes sense for her to keep living at the gallery. I’ve only stayed to keep people from talking. Michael and I are Christians, and it’s important not to give the wrong idea about our behaviour.

Matthew: Okay, so you’ve given us a decent picture of your normal life, and I think it’s time for some abnormal talk. Michael and Amy are a bit concerned by this talk about sabotage, albeit for very different reasons. What’s your take on the idea?

Aunt Bay: You’re a direct young man, aren’t you? Much like the reporter who brought up the sabotage notion. I was shocked to think the accident could have been deliberate, and I have to say it’s unlikely. Gilles’ parents would have jumped on any hint of a crime. His mother, especially, wouldn’t have let up on the investigators until they found the truth. I’d like to dismiss the idea, but the reporter, Troy, challenged me to pray about it. After all, God saw what happened that day. I haven’t had any clear answer, but it does seem odd to me that the matter keeps coming up. That may mean something. Do you think it could have been sabotage? And if so, why?

Matthew: I’m direct when it suits me, and in this case being straightforward is the best way to get proper answers. As far as what I think, I’m an outsider to the situation so I don’t know any of the technical details and I never knew Gilles. Even so, I suppose it’s theoretically possible. I think that to be convinced I would have to see a reason for the sabotage. People don’t kill like that for no reason. If there was a logical reason behind sabotaging that plane, I would consider sabotage an option. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, do you think this whole business could be bad for Amy or Michael?

Aunt Bay: It’s definitely affecting them both. Amy’s upset, not knowing what to think, and emotionally on edge, as if it’s thrown her back into grief. Michael says there’s no motive, and he sees it as a waste of time that’s needlessly upsetting Amy. That’s triggering his protective impulses, which of course makes Amy feel closed-in and could cause her to make some less-than-wise choices. What worries me most is, if someone did cause that crash and Amy stirs the pot, will she be putting herself in danger?

Matthew: It almost seems like you understand their relationship better than they do. And I don’t think the question is so much, “will she put herself in danger,” as it is, “if there is danger, what kind is she going to get involved in?” You are in a suspense novel.

Aunt Bay: Child, that is not a comforting thought.

Matthew: No. But if we spent all our time thinking comfortable things we would never accomplish anything. I’m just suggesting care. And besides, no one can be sure about this. There may not even be a problem.

Aunt Bay: My heart says you’re right, though. After all Amy’s been through, and Michael and I have grieved for Gilles too, I’ve been hoping for a happy-ever-after.

Matthew: Well, I think that’s still possible. And happy endings are so much more interesting when they’re preceded by unpleasantness. However, I think we’ve got all we need for this interview. Any parting words you’d like to leave us with, Miss Rockland?

Aunt Bay: Make the most of every day. Sabotage or not, the plane crash taught us how quickly life can end.

Matthew: A good sentiment. Thanks for being here.

[Other Without Proof interviews: Amy SilverMichael Stratton, and the supporting cast.]

Without Proof [Redemption's Edge 3]“Asking questions could cost your life.”

Two years after the plane crash that killed her fiancé, Amy Silver has fallen for his best friend, artist Michael Stratton. When a local reporter claims the small aircraft may have been sabotaged, it reopens Amy’s grief.

Anonymous warnings and threats are Amy’s only proof that the tragedy was deliberate, and she has nowhere to turn. The authorities don’t believe her, God is not an option, and Michael’s protection is starting to feel like a cage.

Do you like clean reads with a Christian thread? Grab your copy today at the Without Proof book page.

Without Proof: Meet Michael Stratton

"Just because there are ways to crash a plane like his without leaving clues doesn't mean it happened. For a crime, you need a motive.

My editorial assistant (and son), Matthew Sketchley, joins us again today for a conversation with Michael Stratton from Without Proof. Matthew blogs at Probably Nothing Interesting.

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew: We’ve got Michael Stratton here today, he’s one of the main characters in Without Proof. How are you doing, Michael?

Michael: I’m a bit frustrated today, actually. One of my friends is a journalist, and he just reopened an accident I’d like to leave in the past… and suggested to my assistant, Amy, that it could have been sabotage. Just when I’d hoped we were moving beyond this.

Matthew: That accident is the reason you have Amy as an assistant, right? Would you mind elaborating a little on your business and how it’s been affected?

Michael: Amy had just moved here to Nova Scotia to marry my best friend, Gilles. When he was killed in the plane crash, she needed a place to recover from her injuries, so I invited her to stay with me. My aunt moved in, too to help. Amy started helping with my accounts, to take her mind off her loss. I think she felt she needed to pay me back, too, although I never would have asked for it. Helping her was helping Gilles, and I’d have done whatever I could.

Anyway, Amy worked herself into a job. Now she handles the books, promotions, and even some of the framing. I’m a painter – nature scenes, mostly. Anything to do with water, although I’ll do the occasional portrait as well. I’m hopeless with numbers, so gaining Amy as an assistant has been a definite plus.

I’m based in Nova Scotia, which is a bit far from the larger markets. Two years ago, when the crash happened, I was in the process of moving my business to central Canada. When Gilles died, and Amy needed me, I scrapped those plans and came home. It might not have been the smartest thing, business-wise, but I have no regrets.

Matthew: It sounds like you and Gilles were quite close. I’ve heard a bit about him already, but could you tell me about your friendship?

Michael: For our non-French-speaking readers, here’s how to say his name: the “g” makes a zh sound like in “treasure,” and the name rhymes with “hill,” so say “zhil.”

Gilles was everything I’m not. Outgoing, adventurous, athletic, charming. From a wealthy French family. We were paired in an exchange program one summer in our teens. He came here first, and let’s just say some of the antics we got up to – at his instigation – bonded us closer than brothers. I still can’t believe he’s gone.

Matthew: I guess I should ask you this, although you’ve sort of already given an answer. What do you think about this sabotage theory?

Michael: Just because there are apparently ways to crash a plane like his without leaving clues doesn’t mean it happened. For a crime, you need motive. Everyone loved Gilles, and there’s not even a hint of evidence of sabotage. What makes me so angry about this coming up is that Amy’s finally starting to heal. We’re coming up to the second anniversary of the crash, and she doesn’t need anything to stir up her grief.

Matthew: I can understand that. You’re pretty protective of her, right?

Michael: More protective than she likes, sometimes. Amy carries a lot of hurt, from losing Gilles, the way his family treated her afterward, and from something else, something she thinks disqualifies her from a relationship with God. I’d give anything to see her whole again.

Matthew: So how does your business operate? Do you find sales tricky as an introvert, or do you let Amy handle that for you?

Michael: I run a small gallery from my home, conveniently situated for tourists, and I’m building a network of consignment sales through independent gift shops. I also take part in the major craft and gift fairs, and do exhibits in other galleries when I can get them. I let Amy handle as much of the people and paper as possible. She seems to like it. For the public venue events, people really like to meet the artist. I do my best, but schmoozing drains me.

Matthew: Yeah, people are the worst. Well, that’s all the questions I have for you today. Any parting words you want to leave us with?

Michael: Hey, people are fine… the right people, and in small numbers. But crowds? Definitely stressful. I’m getting ready for a major show in Toronto. Amy’s agreed to go with me, which will help. Here’s hoping some time away helps her forget that sabotage nonsense. Thanks for taking time to chat, Matthew.

Matthew: No problem, Michael, it’s been good talking to you. Good luck in your Toronto show.

[Other Without Proof interviews: Amy SilverAunt Bay, and the supporting cast.]

Without Proof [Redemption's Edge 3]“Asking questions could cost your life.”

Two years after the plane crash that killed her fiancé, Amy Silver has fallen for his best friend, artist Michael Stratton. When a local reporter claims the small aircraft may have been sabotaged, it reopens Amy’s grief.

Anonymous warnings and threats are Amy’s only proof that the tragedy was deliberate, and she has nowhere to turn. The authorities don’t believe her, God is not an option, and Michael’s protection is starting to feel like a cage.

Do you like clean reads with a Christian thread? Grab your copy today at the Without Proof book page.

Without Proof: Meet Amy Silver

"Let's just say God doesn't want me in His house. I wish I could be part of His family. The need to belong... Maybe it's because my mom died in my teens, and my father threatened legal action if I contacted him again."

I’m trying something different today: instead of introducing Amy Silver myself, I’ve asked my editorial assistant (and son), Matthew Sketchley, to do the honours.

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew Sketchley

Matthew writes… I’ll call it dark fantasy, but I’m not sure that’s quite right. Some is dark speculative. He’s just started a blog called Probably Nothing Interesting, which often makes me laugh but which is definitely not for everyone.

Matthew: Alrighty then. We’ve got Amy Silver here today. Amy’s the protagonist in Without Proof, a Christian romantic suspense novel. It’s great to have you here Amy, how are you doing?

Amy:  I’m fine, thanks, Matthew. This is the second time someone’s wanted to interview me today. I’m not sure what’s up with that.

Matthew: Your last name is Silver… any connection to Harry Silver, the dangerous offender? Reporters are always looking for new angles.

Amy: He’s my cousin, but thankfully we’ve never met. He wouldn’t even know I exist.

Matthew: Well, I guess a lot of people think you’re interesting. What was your other interview about? Anything exciting?

Amy:  I’m just an ordinary person. My claim to fame is surviving the plane crash that killed my fiancé. That was almost two years ago now, and a local reporter came looking for a human interest story for the paper. It’s really not my thing, but I thought it could give some free advertising for the art gallery where I work. Then at the end, this guy asks if I have any suspicions about the crash. Apparently there are ways to sabotage a small plane that may not be noticed. Honestly, I don’t know what to think about that. Wouldn’t you know, if someone hated you enough to want to kill you?

Matthew: I’d think you would, although some people do extreme things for reasons that don’t necessarily make sense outside of their own heads. You were banged up pretty badly yourself in the crash – how have you dealt with what happened? Did you get much support from family and friends in the aftermath?

Amy:  My fiancé’s parents deserted me in the hospital, and I have no family of my own. His best friend, Michael, offered me a place to stay. Michael’s great-aunt moved in to help drive me to appointments. They’re good people. As I healed, I worked myself into a job in Michael’s art gallery. The crash was tragic, but I’m finding a new life, and I like it here.

Matthew: It’s horrible that they would just walk out on you like that, but it’s nice to see that Michael and his aunt are good enough to take care of you. Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with the two of them?

Amy:  We all live in this huge house, with Michael’s studio and gallery. Aunt Bay is what you might call “feisty.” She’s a good buffer when Michael tries to overprotect me. I’m ready to move forward with my life, but I don’t think he sees that.

Matthew: Sometimes it’s hard to really see when someone else is ready to move on. Now, I know Michael and Aunt Bay are very Christian people. How do you feel, living with them when you’re not exactly someone of faith yourself?

Amy:  It’s usually not an issue. They respect that I don’t want to attend church with them. Sometimes Michael plays Christian music while he’s painting, and that can make me… almost homesick. With this sabotage idea? The reporter asked Aunt Bay to pray for the truth to come out. I still hope there’s nothing to it, but if there is, maybe God will listen to her.

Matthew: What do you mean by “homesick?” Have you considered going out to church with them if you feel that way?

Amy:  Let’s just say God doesn’t want me in His house. I wish I could be part of His family. The need to belong is strong for me. Maybe it’s because my mom died in my teens, and my father threatened legal action if I contacted him again.

Matthew: Wow, Amy, that’s a lot to deal with. I think we have time for one last question, and I’m sure this is the one everyone wants to hear. You’re in a romantic suspense novel. We talked a little bit about the plane crash, so we’ve heard about the suspense, but where does the romance come in?

Amy:  From my perspective, romance is almost as unlikely as that sabotage theory. Michael doesn’t have a clue how I feel about him. It’s like he thinks I still belong to Gilles.

Matthew: Do you think that’s why he’s so protective? What does he think of this whole sabotage theory?

Amy:  You may be right, but I don’t know how to make him see the truth. The sabotage? He doesn’t believe it, and he’s angry with the reporter for bringing it up.

Matthew: Well, that sounds tense and complicated. I’m sure you’ll all have a great time working this one out! This has been an interview with Amy Silver, protagonist of Without Proof.

[Other Without Proof interviews: Michael Stratton, Aunt Bay, and the supporting cast.]

Without Proof [Redemption's Edge 3]“Asking questions could cost your life.”

Two years after the plane crash that killed her fiancé, Amy Silver has fallen for his best friend, artist Michael Stratton. When a local reporter claims the small aircraft may have been sabotaged, it reopens Amy’s grief.

Anonymous warnings and threats are Amy’s only proof that the tragedy was deliberate, and she has nowhere to turn. The authorities don’t believe her, God is not an option, and Michael’s protection is starting to feel like a cage.

Do you like clean reads with a Christian thread? Grab your copy today at the Without Proof book page.

After Heaven’s Prey

Did you ever have a question for a fictional character? I do, sometimes, and I enjoy reading character interviews. Paula Vince, of The Vince Review, sent me a question for Tony Warner of Heaven’s Prey. (Thank you, Paula!)

HeavensPrey_Prev webThis is an “after the novel’s ending” question, so if you haven’t read Heaven’s Prey and you’re thinking about it, you might want to skip this post. Spoilers…

Paula’s question:

Tony, I can hardly imagine what it must have been like, when a sporting hero of yours committed such a heinous crime against your family. I can understand how you must have felt when your wife, Ruth, began praying for Harry Silver. But since Ruth’s return from her own ordeal, have you been able to forgive Harry from your heart too?

Tony’s answer:

It’s been over a year and a half now, but there are days I have to forgive him all over again. Every time something reminds me of our niece, Susan, or see how much her parents — and Ruth and I — have aged. The worst times are when it comes back on Ruth in a nightmare.

The damage can’t be undone. I know God worked it all out for good, bringing Harry and me both into a saving relationship with Him. <Tony laughs> I can tell you it didn’t do anything good for my pride when I realized I was as distant from God as a serial rapist-murderer.

God kept Ruth safe from the horrible things Harry would have done to her, and the experience strengthened her faith. But she carries the emotional scars, and I hate that. The counselor she sees, and her pastor, help her keep holding onto Jesus, and He is enough.

Did you know Ruth’s started sharing her story in some local churches? The investigations have wrapped up now, so the circumstances of Harry’s return to custody don’t have to remain secret. Ruth doesn’t talk much about his conversion — she says that’s his story, not hers — but she speaks to women’s groups about how God kept her safe and sane. And about the importance of prayer.

Sometimes I go with her, especially if it’s a mixed event. People seem to want to hear my side, too. We’re trying to encourage Harry to write his story, not the crimes so much, but his journey. What made a successful, healthy man turn into a dangerous offender? And how did the God of the Universe break his heart to heal it?

Thanks for asking, Paula. All the best!

Janet says:

Did you know there are links to other character interviews and bonus features on my book pages? Just scroll down past the buy links: Heaven’s Prey and Secrets and Lies.

Friday Friends: Interview with the Characters of Shadowed in Silk

Interview of characters from Historical Romance Shadowed in Silk by Christine Lindsay. EBook is available now, paper version Sept. 2011.

Leave a comment and your name will be put into the hat to win a free E-copy of Shadowed in Silk. [Draw is now closed, Stephanie is our winner, and I hope she enjoys the novel as much as I did. Thank you to everyone who commented!]

Christine Lindsay, author of Shadowed in Silk: First of all, on behalf of Major Geoff Richards and Abby Fraser, I’d like to thank you, Janet, for inviting all 5 of us, real and fictional. We brought along Eshana, Abby’s maid, and of course, Abby’s little 3-year-old son, Cam.

Christine:  So Abby, let’s start with you. Why did you decide to sail to India in Dec. 1918?

Abby: The war in Europe was over at last. I’d waited 4 years, so it was time for my husband, Nick Fraser, and I to be reunited. He’s a soldier in the British army and served the entire war here in India. We had a whirlwind romance at the beginning of the war, and unfortunately don’t know each other very well.

Christine: I’ll bet Nick was thrilled to see you at the pier in Bombay after such a long separation.

Abby: I wish that were so. But Nick didn’t meet me when my ship docked. With Geoff’s help I found my own way to the bungalow that Nick rented for me. Since then my relationship with my husband has been . . . well he’s hardly ever home.

Christine:  Oh, that must be terribly disappointing.

Eshana:  If I may say a word, it has been most upsetting for my dear friend, Abby. Perhaps we should talk of something more cheerful. Her husband, Lieutenant Fraser, is no longer even at home with her. He has been banished to a station in the wilds of Waziristan.

Christine:  You don’t say. Do I smell a bit of mystery?

Geoff:  If I may interject as this is upsetting the ladies. Nick Fraser’s commanding officer transferred him to a non-family station due to ah . . . improprieties on Nick’s part.

Christine:  Of course, Major. Let’s chat instead about you and your career as a Cavalry officer in His Majesty’s army in colonial India.

Geoff:  Be pleased to. My Indian troops and I have just been demobilized after the war in Europe. I can’t be more proud of them than I am. It is my prayer that England will keep her promise to India and grant them independence that was promised a few years ago.

Christine: I hear revolution is in the wind—all this talk of Gandhi and his peaceful rebellion.

Eshana: But the revolution might not be peaceful. There are many Indian people who wish the British to leave, and they will resort to violence to make this happen. It is the same sort of people who show violence to Christians in India. What is worse, the British are terrified and they will retaliate. We are living in fearful days.

Christine:  You are an Indian Christian, Eshana? Not a Hindu?

Eshana: I was born into a Hindu family, but when I was 13 the boy I was married to died of cholera and I was sent away to live in poverty as a child widow. But I became a follower of Christ. Now I am trying to show Abby that it is only Christ who can lift the veil of sin from us, so that God can look upon us face-to-face.

Geoff: Yes, my dear little sister-in-Christ, Eshana, has been a great help to Abby and Cam.

Christine:  I hear that you, Geoff, are also a great help to Abby and Cam. It’s hard on a little boy when his father is not a loving parent.

Geoff:  Well . . . ahem . . . I take Cam out for rides on my charger. The child does get lonely.

Christine: Cam, how do you like the rides on Major Geoff’s horse?

Three-year-old Cam (smiling):  I like Geoff’s horse. His name is Sampson. And Major Geoff is my best friend.

Christine:  But, Cam, don’t you miss your daddy?

Cam: Nope. I’m glad my dad is far away. He’s not very nice, and he smells funny when he drinks that brown stuff.

Christine: Abby, tell me more about you and Nick. Have things been difficult since you were reunited?

Abby: It is not easy for me to talk about this. I suppose . . . well I think Nick married me only to further his career. My father was a famous general . . . and well it’s Nick’s drinking and his gambling. And he can be rather nasty. Once . . . well once . . . he became abusive. I gave him an ultimatum—if he ever strikes me again, or hurts Cam . . . well I don’t believe a wife should put up with that sort of thing.

Geoff:  Abby is in a tough spot. I’ve encouraged her to befriend other Christian women. She needs the friendship of Godly women to help her through this unhappy situation, women such as Eshana. But I agree, a wife should not subject herself to abuse like that. I pray for Nick—only God can change him though.

Christine: And you, Geoff, are you Abby’s friend, like you are Cam’s friend?

Abby (flustered):  I must object to the inappropriate tone of your question, Christine. Major Geoff Richards is an honourable man. A friend of our family.  I’m grateful for his interest in my son. A boy needs a man to take an interest in him, especially when his father shows no interest what-so-ever. And there’s enough gossip in this town already. I was warned when I came out to British India that flirtation is the national sport. But Geoff is nothing like that. And neither am I. I’m doing all I can to save my marriage.

Christine:  Oh dear Abby, I didn’t mean to offend. But tell me, Geoff, are you married?

Geoff:  My wife died a year before the war began. No one could ever take my wife’s place.

Christine:  You seem to have suffered greatly during the war. I notice your right hand shakes quite a bit. Can you tell us of your experience during the war?

Geoff (shifting in his chair):  Not really . . . ahem . . . nightmares . . . the men dying . . .

Christine:  I can see this is distressing to you . . .

Eshana:  Yes, it is distressing to my brother in Christ. And I fear for Geoff’s safety and of all the soldiers. If there is going to be war between Britain and Afghanistan many men may lose their lives. But I am praying that in time, Geoff will come to see that there is still goodness in the land of the living. Right now, his heart is too sore to see this.

Christine:  One last question, Geoff, is there any truth to the rumours that there is a Russian spy in our midst, stirring up the Indian people to revolt against British rule in India?

Geoff: My dear lady, it is never wise to listen to rumours. Besides, whatever befalls us here in India, you can be sure everything will be done to protect all our citizens—British and Indian. That is my vow to you, and to the Indian people I love.

Christine: Thank you all of you for coming all the way from India for this interview. I’ll just let our readers know that Shadowed in Silk can be purchased on EBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and anywhere else EBooks are sold.

A suspenseful, romantic read for less than the price of a couple of coffees.

The printed version comes out Sept. 2011 and can be purchased on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble as well.

Shadowed in Silk

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. But his faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

An interesting note to readers, the model for the front cover art and in the book trailer is Christine’s birth-daughter—the child she relinquished to adoption when she was 3 days old and was reunited with 20 years later.

Here’s the book trailer for Shadowed in Silk